Elephant Dies in Riau, Menhut: No Pardon for Killers of Rare Animals

JAKARTA - Minister of Forestry (Menhut) Raja Juli Antoni has condemned and will take firm action against a network of hunters suspected of being involved in the death of a Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) in a company concession area in Riau.

"This is a very sad thing, it does not meet the standards of our basic human values. Therefore, once again there is no forgiveness for anyone who still commits wild killings of rare animals in Indonesia," said Menhut as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, February 9.

"Most importantly, my message is very strong and clear, if (the perpetrator) meets us, we will not forgive. I hope this is the last incident of poaching elephants in Indonesia," he said.

Menhut Raja Antoni said he had contacted the police to investigate the case that occurred earlier this month.

"I have called directly to the Riau Police Chief, and he has gone to the field with our head of the station to investigate," he said.

"Once again we will work hard with the Police Chief, with the police, to find out who is behind this murder," he added.

The death of the elephant without tusks was first reported by PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (PT RAPP) to the Pelalawan Police and the Riau KSDA Headquarters on Monday (2/2).

The results of the examination showed that the elephant, which was male, was estimated to be over 40 years old, and had died about two weeks before it was found. From the results of the autopsy, there were indications of severe head injuries, and medically, the provisional hypothesis was that it was a head trauma due to a gunshot wound.

The findings strengthen the suspicion of criminal acts against protected wildlife.

The Director General of Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Forestry (Gakkum Kemenhut) Dwi Januanto Nugroho on Sunday (8/2) confirmed that the Ministry of Forestry had intensified law enforcement efforts to pursue and dismantle the network suspected of being involved in the killing of Sumatran elephants in the concession area of the PT RAPP company.