Elephant In Tesso Nilo Riau National Park Dies

Gajah Rimbani at the TNTN Center when receiving medical treatment after being known to be sick in November 2024. (ANTARA/HO-Balai TNTN)

PEKANBARU - A Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) named Rimbani at Tesso Nilo National Park (TNTN), Pelalawan Regency, Riau, was reported to have died from digestive infection after being sick.

Head of the TNTN Center Heru Sutmantoro explained that the results of laboratory tests confirmed that there was an infection in the Rimbani digestive system. The 8-year-old elephant died in November 2024.

"Initially there were no symptoms of illness. Rimbani ate as usual, with food from nature, such as grass and fruit, as well as additional supplies for elephants," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, January 3.

Rimbani was first found by the mahitout (awang) in an unhealthy condition. Veterinarians from the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA) were immediately brought in to provide medical treatment.

However, after several hours of being treated, Rimbani's life was not saved. His condition worsened without showing any signs before, making Rimbani's departure shock the mahits.

After his death, a necropsy process was carried out to find out the exact cause. Organ samples were sent to a laboratory in Bogor, which eventually showed digestive tract infection as the main cause.

"Rimani ate as usual, so at first there were no health problems," said Heru.

Gajah Rimbani was born to a mother named Lisa eight years ago. Rinjani is known as a tame and energy-filled elephant who is often uploaded on social media accounts of the TNTN Center.

Rimbani's death was the sorrow of conservation officers. Because Gajah Sumatrasalah is a species that is threatened with extinction