Protected Sumatran Elephant Found Dead In Aceh

JAKARTA, Feb 22 (Bernama) -- A Sumatran elephant, which is a highly protected species in Indonesia, was found dead in a community plantation area in Central Aceh believed to have been electrocuted by a high-voltage electric wire.

Head of the Aceh Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA Aceh) Ujang Wisnu Barata said the carcass of the female elephant estimated to be about 20 years old was discovered on Saturday following a report from residents.

“The elephant is suspected to have died at night on Friday (Feb 20). When found, the elephant’s trunk was still entangled in the electric wire,” he was quoted to have said in a statement by BKSDA Aceh, on Sunday.

The Sumatran elephant is listed as a protected species under Indonesia’s conservation laws issued by the Environment and Forestry Ministry, making it illegal to kill, capture or trade the animal. 

According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) the subspecies is also classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to declining populations caused by habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict.

Ujang said authorities have since installed a police line around the site to secure the area while awaiting the arrival of a veterinary team to carry out a necropsy and arrange for the burial of the elephant.

He also issued a stern warning over the use of high-voltage electrified wires, stressing that such practices pose serious risks not only to wildlife but also to human safety.

-- BERNAMA