Jovi, Riau’s beloved conflict-response elephant, dies at 46

3 hours ago

Pekanbaru, Riau (ANTARA) – Jovi, a 46-year-old elephant at Indonesia’s Minas Elephant Training Center in Riau Province, has died from complications linked to digestive and upper respiratory infections that caused severe muscle weakness, conservation officials said.

Acting Head of the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) Ujang Holisudin said the male elephant died at 8:47 p.m. local time on Monday after receiving intensive veterinary care for 34 days.

“The adult male elephant, which made a major contribution to mitigating human-wildlife conflicts across Riau province, has passed away,” Ujang said in a statement issued in Pekanbaru, the capital of Riau Province, on Tuesday.

He said Jovi first showed signs of illness on July 1, including loss of appetite, tremors, stiffness in his legs, trunk and tail, and difficulty standing.

Veterinary staff immediately began intensive treatment in accordance with the agency’s standard operating procedures for wildlife health care, Ujang said.

The veterinary team administered round-the-clock intravenous fluids, vitamins, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication, amino acids, supportive care, and regular laboratory tests while closely monitoring the elephant’s condition.

Medical team coordinator Rini Deswita said Jovi’s condition deteriorated significantly on Sunday after he stopped eating and drinking despite continued intensive treatment.

“On Monday at around 4:00 p.m., his body temperature rose to approximately 40 degrees Celsius,” Rini said.

The veterinary team continued intravenous treatment, along with oral and rectal fluid therapy and other supportive measures to stabilize the elephant, she said.

Jovi suffered severe tremors at 8:43 p.m. on Monday and was pronounced dead four minutes later at 8:47 p.m., Rini said.

Following a post-mortem examination, Jovi’s remains were buried in accordance with established conservation protocols, the agency said.

Jovi, a domesticated male elephant from Indragiri Hulu District, arrived at the Minas Elephant Training Center on Feb. 18, 1998.

For more than two decades, he played a vital role in mitigating conflicts between local communities and wild elephants across several parts of Riau Province.