Indonesia vows action after elephant deaths in Sumatra plantations

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3 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian government is determined to act following the series of elephant deaths in Sumatra, with Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni promising a thorough evaluation of the current biodiversity and ecosystem administration.

“This morning, I received a message from Mr. Hashim who told me that another elephant has died at a plantation in Aceh,” Antoni, referring to the President’s Special Envoy for Climate and Energy Hasjim Djojohadikusumo, stated in Jakarta.

The incident, which occurred on the eve of the 2026 National Natural Conservation Day commemoration on Monday, “serves as another reminder” that “something is wrong with us,” the minister explained.

Despite achievements made in Indonesia’s natural conservation sector, the deaths of protected species at concession areas are a wake-up call for all stakeholders to optimize their efforts in forest restoration.

Antoni stated that the Prabowo administration is determined to address the issue, including by signing Instruction No. 8 of 2026 on Rescuing the Population and Habitat of Sumatra and Kalimantan Elephants and committing to restore degraded land in various Indonesian regions.

“The president is committed to restoring 12 million hectares of critical land ecosystem, of which 6.7 million hectares are in the forest area. To be more specific, some 1.27 million hectares of it is located in conservation areas,” he explained.

A Sumatran elephant was found dead in a palm plantation in Kaloy Village, Aceh Tamiang District, Aceh Province, on Sunday (August 9). Andi, the village head, said residents found the elephant lying dead among the palm trees.

The incident came just days after the death of Jovi, a 46-year-old elephant, in Siak District, Riau Province, on August 3. Jovi died from complications related to gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections.

Meanwhile, according to a recent Forestry Ministry report, at least six elephants died in the November 2025-June 2026 period, with two deaths occurring at the Bukit Tigapuluh National Park in Jambi.