Wild Elephant Calf Found Dead, Suspected Victim of Snare in Tesso Nilo National Park

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Ministry of Forestry, through the Tesso Nilo National Park Authority, has announced the discovery of a dead Sumatran elephant calf (Elephas maximus sumatranus) from the wild elephant population, believed to have died as a result of a snare trap.

In an official statement from the Tesso Nilo National Park Authority received in Jakarta on Friday, the elephant calf was found on Thursday, 26 February, in the Lancang Kuning Resort in Riau in an advanced state of decomposition.

The park authority stated that the animal was estimated to have been dead for approximately one week prior to discovery, with preliminary examination at the site suggesting death occurred due to infection in the leg area, believed to have resulted from a snare trap.

“The medical team at the Tesso Nilo National Park Authority immediately undertook further intervention including thorough examination to determine the cause of death scientifically,” stated the Tesso Nilo National Park Authority’s social media account.

The Tesso Nilo National Park Authority stated that the incident serves as a reminder that real threats still exist for wildlife, specifically relating to Sumatran elephants, in their natural habitat. They called upon all parties to collectively increase awareness and take active roles in preserving protected wildlife.

In a separate statement on its social media account, the Police Chief of Riau Province, Inspector General Herry Heryawan, stated that he had personally visited the Tesso Nilo National Park area following the discovery of the carcass of a wild elephant calf within the park.

“I was accompanied by the Head of BBKSDA [Natural Resources Conservation Centre] and the Deputy Police Chief of Riau Police to ensure the handling process was conducted seriously, measured, and based on scientific examination. Initial indications point to leg infection believed to have resulted from a snare trap. However, the definitive cause remains pending necropsy results and further investigation by the medical team,” he said.

He stated this remained speculation and assured that should criminal elements be found, his office would pursue prosecution in accordance with applicable laws.