Elephant Calf 'Dumbo' Dies At Surabaya Zoo, DPRD Will Summon Management To Demand Transparency

Deputy Chairman of Commission B DPRD Surabaya Anas Karno when visiting the Surabaya Zoo (ANTARA)

SURABAYA - Commission B of the Surabaya City Council will summon the management of the Surabaya Zoo (KBS) Regional Animal Park Company (PDTS) regarding the death of an elephant calf named Dumbo which is considered unnatural.

Deputy Chairman of Commission B for the Economy of the DPRD Surabaya, Anas Karno, admitted that he had visited KBS after hearing the news of the death of Dumbo, a 2.5 year old elephant calf.

"Yesterday when I went to KBS, the KBS security officers were forbidden to enter. But after saying that they were carrying out their board duties, the officers immediately opened the entrance," he said in Surabaya, Antara, Saturday, December 18.

After meeting with KBS management, Anas said Dumbo's death was acknowledged by KBS management. The cause of death is still under investigation because according to management's statement, Dumbo's body is still undergoing an autopsy.

Anas urged the KBS management to explain Dumbo's death publicly. Moreover, he continued, when the elephant calf died has not been explained in a transparent manner. Information circulating that the elephant calf died a week ago.

"This KBS belongs to the Surabaya City Government, which means that assets, including animals, also belong to Surabaya residents," he said.

Anas also said that the Surabaya DPRD Commission B would immediately summon the KBS management to provide information regarding the incident.

"There are many things we want to know in the hearing meeting with KBS later. For example, whether animal care is up to standard, and whether animal food intake is also up to standard," he said.

Previously, the President Director of PDTS KBS Khoirul Anwar when confirmed via WhatsApp confirmed the death of the elephant calf at KBS. However, Khoirul was reluctant to explain the reason the elephant calf died.

"Yes, sir, to be precise, we are waiting for the results of the autopsy and the laboratory. We will release it later," said the Director of PDTS KBS Khoirul Anwar briefly.

Dumbo is a male Sumatran elephant who was born on July 22, 2019. Dumbo was born normally with a weight of 122 kilograms, a height of 88 centimeters, and a chest circumference of 118 centimeters.

Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini who was then Mayor of Surabaya, together with her grandson, saw the tiny elephant which was only seven days old. The name Dumbo was given by Gwen, Risma's granddaughter. Dumbo is the result of the marriage of a female elephant parent, named Lembang and a male parent named Doa.