Electric Wire Installed By Central Acehnese In Plantation Area Kills Male Elephant

A male Sumatran elephant died allegedly from being stung by a shock wire fence installed in an orange and lengkeng plantation area belonging to the people of Karang Ampar, Central Aceh, Friday (7/6/2024). (ANTARA/HO/TPFF Karang Ampar)

ACEH - Flora and Fauna Security Team (TPFF) Central Aceh found a dead male Sumatran elephant suspected of being stung by a shock wire installed in an orange and lengkeng plantation area belonging to the people of Karang Ampar, Central Aceh. "The elephant's death is thought to be due to high voltages from the electric current around the location," said TPFF Karang Ampar, Muslim, who was confirmed from Banda Aceh, Antara, Friday, June 7. Muslim said the death of a male elephant with 3 centimeters long ivory was first discovered by the TPFF team after receiving a report on Karang Ampar's reje (village head) this Friday morning. Then the TPFF team headed to the location and reported the death of the male elephant to the Aceh Conservation and Natural Resources Center (BKSDA), Karang Ampar Police, and Conservation Response Unit (CRU), to be followed up immediately. "Earlier I confirmed (the discovery of the elephant's death) to the BKSDA, Polsek, and CRU Aceh," he said. He conveyed that the shock fence (power fencing), which was suspected to be the cause of the elephant's death, was installed independently by local residents. Even though village officials and TPFF have banned it. "Reje (village officials) and TPFF have appealed not to install electricity, but it turns out that there are people who disobey," said Muslim. Meanwhile, the Head of the Aceh BKSDA, Ujang Wisnu Barata, stated that his party had dispatched a team to conduct field checks. "Yes, we are waiting for the results of the field team's inspection," he said. Regarding the alleged death of a male elephant from being stung by a shock wire, Ujang appealed to all relevant stakeholders to continue to provide socialization to the public so as not to install a deadly electric wire. "It is necessary for the support of the parties to provide knowledge and supervision so that they do not carelessly install electric wires, because the electric current wire fence also endangers the community," said Ujang. To note, the Sumatran Elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) is one type of protected wildlife in Indonesia based on the Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry Number P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/6/2018.

Based on The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, Gajah Sumatra is critical or endangered.