Sumatran Elephant Found Dead In Southeast Aceh Forest Area

BANDA ACEH - The Aceh Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) stated that an individual Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatramus) was found dead in a forest area in Southeast Aceh Regency.

Head of the Aceh BKSDA Agus Arianto said that the dead elephant was reported by the community to be found in the Bunbun area, Leuser District, Southeast Aceh Regency.

"We received information on the finding of a dead elephant on Tuesday (10/5). So, we don't know the details yet, how is the condition of the elephant and where are the coordinates of the location where the protected animal was found," he said as quoted by Antara, Tuesday, May 10.

He said the BKSDA had dispatched a team to the location to confirm the report of the elephant's death. Including the media team to examine the cause of the death of the protected animal.

"The team is still moving to the location. So, we have not received any information, how is the condition of the elephant and where it is located, whether it is in the Gunung Leuser National Park or not," he said.

His party also coordinated with the police to investigate whether the elephant was a victim of poaching or not. Or the protected animal died naturally.

"We are still waiting for the team's information in the field. When the team arrives at the location, the condition will be known, whether the elephant is male or female, what is the estimated age, including the coordinates," he said.

According to The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the Sumatran elephant, which is only found on the island of Sumatra, is a critically endangered species, with a high risk of extinction in the wild.

The Aceh BKSDA appeals to the community to jointly preserve nature, especially the Sumatran elephant wildlife by not destroying the forest which is the habitat of various types of animals, and not capturing, injuring, killing.

In addition, it also stores, owns, maintains, transports, and trades protected animals alive or dead and does not install snares or poisons that can cause death.

"All actions against protected wildlife can be subject to criminal sanctions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations," said Agus Arianto.