Headless Carcass Of Rare Sumatran Elephant Found In Indonesia

JAKARTA, Feb 6 (Bernama-dpa) -- Indonesian authorities are investigating the killing of a critically endangered Sumatran elephant after its mutilated carcass was found inside a large industrial plantation concession in Riau province, German Press Agency (dpa) reported.

The elephant was discovered on Monday in a forested area operated by PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper, one of Indonesia’s largest acacia plantation companies, with its head severed, police said on Friday. 

“We are treating this as a serious case and are still investigating the cause of death,” said I Gede Yoga Eka Pranata, head of the criminal investigation unit at Pelalawan police. “Evidence collection at the scene and witness examinations are ongoing.”

The case came to light after a local found the remains of the elephant on Monday night and alerted security personnel, who then notified the authorities.

The Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) is a subspecies listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Conservation groups estimate that fewer than 1,500 remain in the wild, most of them confined to fragmented habitats on the island of Sumatra.

Elephants in the region are under increasing pressure from habitat loss driven by logging, pulpwood plantations, palm oil estates, and infrastructure development, conservationists said.

While some elephants are killed in retaliation during conflicts with farmers, conservationists have long warned that poaching for ivory and other body parts continues to pose a serious threat, despite strict legal protections.

Under Indonesian law, killing a protected species can carry a prison sentence of up to five years and substantial fines.

-- BERNAMA-dpa