Almost Extinct Sumatran Elephant Calf Found Dead At The Border Of Plantations And Forests In Aceh

NRCA staff do a necropsy on a dead calf in village Mulya Sti, Peunarun, East Aceh, on Saturday (06/05/2021). Antara Aceh/HO

JAKARTA - The Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) stated that a Sumatran elephant calf (Elephas maximus sumatranus) was found dead in Sri Mulya Village, Peunarun District, East Aceh Regency, Aceh Province.

Head of the Aceh BKSDA Agus Arianto in Banda Aceh, Monday, said the elephant calf was found dead on Friday, June 4 afternoon. The discovery of the dead elephant was based on community reports.

"Previously we received information from the community that there was a sick elephant calf. From this information, the BKSDA team and partners were sent to the location to check the truth," said Agus Arianto.

He said the elephant calf was found dead in a forest area for other uses (APL) which borders the community plantation.

"The elephant calf is male. Its age is estimated to be around six months. From the results of the initial examination, the cause of death of the elephant calf is due to illness," said Agus Arianto.

According to Agus Arianto, the results of the inspection found the elephant calf dead. Then, BKSDA sent a team for necropsy to examine and take samples to ascertain the cause of the elephant calf's death.

However, the Head of the Aceh BKSD said to ensure further that he had to wait for the results of laboratory tests on several samples from the body of the elephant calf.

"From the initial examination, a wound was also found on the back of the calf's left leg. Temporary suspicion, the cause of the wound was due to the tusk of a male elephant. It is possible that the male elephant was trying to wake the calf," said Agus Arianto.

Previously, Agus Arianto emphasized that the Sumatran elephant is a protected wild animal. Based on data from the world nature conservation organization, IUCN, Sumatran elephants are only found on the island of Sumatra.

"This animal is a critically endangered species and has a high risk of extinction in the wild. We invite the community to work together to preserve the Sumatran elephant," said Agus Arianto.