Jovi Elephant at PLG Minas Riau Dies Due to Complications

PEKANBARU - A captive elephant at the Minas Elephant Training Center (PLG), Siak Regency, Riau, named Jovi (46 years old) was declared dead due to complications of gastrointestinal and upper respiratory infections that triggered muscle weakness (myopathy).

Acting Head of the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) Ujang Holisudin said the male elephant died on Monday (3/8) at 20.47 WIB.

Jovi breathed his last after the Riau BKSDA veterinary team fought intensively to provide medical treatment for 34 days.

"The adult male elephant, which has made great contributions to helping handle various human and wildlife conflicts in Riau Province, has breathed its last," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, August 4.

He explained that the symptoms of the disease began to appear on July 1, 2026, which showed a general state of weakness, including lack of appetite, tremor (convulsions), stiffness in the legs, belalaidan tail, and difficulty standing.

Since the onset of symptoms, he continued, the Riau BKSDA medical team immediately carried out intensive treatment in accordance with the Standard Operating Pan procedure (SOP) for animal health services.

The medical actions provided include 24-hour infusion fluid therapy, vitamin administration, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, amino acids, supportive therapy, and periodic monitoring of clinical conditions, and laboratory examinations.

The coordinator of the Riau BKSDA Medical Team, Rini Deswitamenambahkan, on Sunday (2/8) Jovi's condition began to decline significantly. The elephant no longer wants to eat or drink so intensive therapy continues to be carried out.

"On Monday, August 3, 2026, around 16.00 WIB, the body temperature increased to around 40 degrees Celsius. The medical team continues to provide fluid therapy through infusions, oral and rectal fluid administration, as well as other supportive measures," he said.

However, at 20.43 WIB, Gajah Jovi experienced a severe tremor and at 20.47 WIB he was declared dead. After all the examination processes were completed, Gajah Jovi's body was buried according to the applicable procedures.

Jovi elephant is a tame male elephant aged around 46 years old from Indragiri Hulu Regency and joined PLG Minas since February 18, 1998.

For more than two decades, Jovi has been one of the trained elephants who have played an important role in various conflict mitigation operations between humans and wild elephants in various areas of Riau Province.