Sumatran elephant found dead in Aceh’s Tamiang Hulu

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3 hours ago

Banda Aceh, Aceh (ANTARA) – A Sumatran elephant was found dead at a palm oil plantation in Kaloy Village, Tamiang Hulu Subdistrict, Aceh Tamiang District, Aceh Province, authorities said.

Teuku Irmansyah, head of Conservation Section I at the Aceh Natural Resources Conservation Agency, said his office had received a report about the elephant’s death.

“After receiving the report, officers from the Langsa Conservation Resort immediately went to the site on Sunday afternoon. However, we have not received an updated report,” Irmansyah said.

The elephant was previously reported dead at Afdeling B, Block 34, of a palm oil plantation in Kaloy Village on Sunday (Aug. 9).

Kaloy village chief Andi said residents found the elephant dead around midday, lying in the middle of a road between palm trees.

“The cause of death is not yet known. We are accompanying police officers to the site. The road leading there is damaged,” Andi said.

The Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) is a protected species classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List.

Authorities urged residents to help conserve wildlife by protecting forests, which provide habitat for many species, and by refraining from capturing, injuring or killing protected animals.

They also urged people not to keep, possess, transport or trade protected wildlife, whether alive or dead, or use traps or poison that could kill them.

Violations involving protected wildlife can result in criminal penalties under Indonesian law, authorities said.