BKSDA Deploys Team To Overcome Elephant Herd Disturbance In East Aceh

BANDA ACEH - The Aceh Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) has deployed a team to deal with disturbances from a herd of Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus) which were reported to have damaged community gardens in Aceh Regency.

"The disturbance of the elephant herd has been going on for the last few days. The team has also tried to bring the protected animals into the forest area," said Head of the Aceh BKSDA Agus Arianto in Banda Aceh as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, August 3.

Previously, a herd of elephants was reported to have damaged plantations and residents' huts in Alue Geunteng Village, Ranto Peureulak District and Sri Mulya Village, Peunarun District, East Aceh Regency.

"Teams in the field also carry out various efforts to escort or dispel the protected animals from returning to forest areas," said Agus Arianto.

Meanwhile, Keuchik (village head) Alue Geunteng Jauhari said the herd of elephants was seen entering the community's plantation in Gunong Putoh Hamlet, Tuesday (2/8).

"The target of this herd of wild elephants is young palm trees that already have sand fruit. In fact, the huts in the residents' gardens are also being razed," said Jauhari.

A report on elephant disturbance in East Aceh Regency was also submitted by A Muin, a resident of Peunaron. He said the day before, a number of elephants entered the oil palm plantations and agricultural fields of residents in Sri Mulya Village, Peunarun District.

"Cacao, banana, areca nut, rubber, palm and other crops were damaged by the elephant herd. We estimate that there are two groups of elephants in the residents' plantations," said A Muin.

According to A Muin, the first group of elephants damaged people's fields in Sri Mulya Village and the second group was in Alue Geunteng Village. The number ranges from five to eight elephants per group.

A Muin said the herd of protected animals entered the residents' plantations at night. Meanwhile, during the day, the herd of elephants returned to the forest area not far from the residents' plantations.

"Residents whose gardens are being targeted by elephants are currently choosing not to do activities in the gardens because they are worried about their safety," said A Muin.

Based on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the Sumatran elephant found only on the island of Sumatra is a critical species, at high risk of extinction in the wild.