In a statement received in Jakarta on Monday (December 22), Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said the government would give special attention to EEHV prevention following the death of a young elephant named Laila at the Sebanga Elephant Conservation Center in Bengkalis, Riau, due to EEHV infection.
To prevent similar incidents, Antoni said he had requested assistance from Fauna Land Indonesia to bring in elephant veterinarians from Vantara in India.
Vantara is a large-scale wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation center located in Jamnagar, Gujarat, and is home to one of the world’s most advanced elephant hospitals.
“I have contacted colleagues in India who can source the antiviral treatment. What remains is to study whether it is suitable for our elephants. There has already been progress. They are even willing to provide it free of charge if it proves compatible. We just need one more research step,” the minister said.
Following up on the initiative, Fauna Land Indonesia and a medical team from Vantara arrived in Riau on Monday.
The team is conducting medical assessments and implementing preventive measures to curb the spread of EEHV.
Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE) Satyawan Pudyatmoko said the visit aimed to evaluate the condition of elephants in the region.
“Today we are visiting Buluh Cina Nature Tourism Park under the Riau KSDAE authority, together with the Vantara team from India, to jointly assess the condition of elephants in captivity. As we know, some time ago there was an incident involving a young elephant that died from EEHV, and this is what we aim to prevent,” Satyawan said.
He noted that preventing elephant deaths caused by EEHV requires adequate knowledge and technical skills, particularly in early detection of symptoms. Through the collaboration, the government hopes to help safeguard the Sumatran elephant population, which faces threats not only from habitat loss but also from EEHV infection.
“To prevent this, we need sufficient knowledge and skills. That is why we are working with international partners to jointly develop baseline data on the elephants here, as well as provide capacity building for mahouts,” he said.
Although the cooperation began in Buluh Cina, preventive efforts are expected to extend to other elephant habitats, including Tesso Nilo National Park, Sebanga, Way Kambas, and other locations.
Meanwhile, Fauna Land Indonesia CEO Danny Gunalen said his organization, as Vantara’s representative in Indonesia, is ready to support the government in health surveys and elephant care at Buluh Cina Nature Tourism Park.
He said a team of elephant specialist veterinarians from India has conducted initial diagnoses and assessed the health and welfare of elephants at the site, particularly following the recent herpes outbreak.
“There are specialist veterinarians currently surveying this location, where a herpes outbreak occurred some time ago. We have conducted diagnoses, studied the health conditions and welfare of the elephants, and we will proceed with further preventive medical measures on a regular basis to avoid further deaths,” Gunalen said.
The cross-border collaboration is expected to strengthen Indonesia’s elephant protection system and serve as a model for more structured, data-driven, and prevention-oriented wildlife health management.
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Translator: Prisca, Azis Kurmala
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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