Wild Elephant Cub Found Dead Allegedly Caught in a Trap in TN Tesso Nilo

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) through the Tesso Nilo National Park Office announced that it had found a Sumatran elephant calf (Elephas maximus sumatranus) from a wild elephant population that died, allegedly due to a snare.

In an official statement from the Tesso Nilo National Park Office, the baby elephant was found on Thursday (26/2) at the Lancang Kuning Resort in Riau in a state of decomposition.

The animal is estimated to have died a week before it was found with the results of the initial examination at the location where the cause of death was suspected to be due to an infection in the leg allegedly due to a snare.

"The medical team of the Tesso Nilo National Park Office immediately carried out further treatment including an in-depth examination to ensure the cause of death scientifically," wrote the Tesso Nilo National Park Office social media account, as reported by ANTARA, Friday, February 27.

The Tesso Nilo National Park Office said the incident was a reminder that there was still a real threat to wildlife, specifically related to the Sumatran elephant, in its natural habitat.

They invite all parties to jointly increase awareness and active role in maintaining the sustainability of protected animals.

In a separate statement on his social media account, Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan said his party had immediately descended to the Tesso Nilo National Park area following the discovery of the carcass of a wild elephant child in the Tesso Nilo National Park area.

"I was accompanied by the Head of BBKSDA and the Head of the Riau Regional Police to ensure that the handling process was serious, measured, and based on scientific examination. The initial suspicion leads to an infection in the leg, which is suspected to be due to a snare. However, the exact cause is still waiting for the results of the necropsy and the deepening of the medical team," he said.

He said that it was still speculation and ensured that if criminal elements were found, his party would be followed up in accordance with applicable laws.