In a statement confirmed in Jakarta on Wednesday, Ahmad Munawir, Director of Species and Genetic Conservation at the ministry’s Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE), said the government is strengthening protection for the Sumatran elephant, whose population is in critical condition.
One of the efforts includes a visit to the Elephant Hospital at Way Kambas National Park alongside Faunaland Indonesia and international partner Vantara from India.
“Vantara will assist Indonesia in building or revitalising the elephant hospital at Way Kambas, and possibly in the future also help establish other elephant hospitals on Sumatra, potentially in Riau and Aceh,” Ahmad said.
He added that the initiative follows directives from President Prabowo Subianto and Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni to restore ecosystems that serve as the primary habitat for the Sumatran elephant.
“Our visit here to Way Kambas with teams from Faunaland Indonesia and Vantara reflects the commitment of the Ministry of Forestry, particularly our minister, Raja Juli Antoni, to improving ecosystems as habitats for the Sumatran elephant,” he said.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the Sumatran elephant is classified as critically endangered due to population decline and habitat loss. Ahmad Munawir noted that elephant habitat pockets, which once numbered more than 44 locations, have shrunk to around 21 fragmented areas.
The ministry is therefore encouraging multi-stakeholder collaboration to save elephant populations and habitats, including efforts to build connectivity between habitats through ecological corridors.
Meanwhile, Faunaland Indonesia CEO Danny Gunalen welcomed the trust placed in his organisation by the Ministry of Forestry and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting conservation and biodiversity protection in Indonesia, particularly for the Sumatran elephant, through its partnership with Vantara.
Vantara is a large-scale wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation centre located in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India, and operates one of the world’s most advanced elephant hospitals.
Danny said initial surveys showed urgent needs at the Way Kambas Elephant Hospital, including the provision of a specialised elephant ambulance.
“In the short term, an animal ambulance is urgently needed, as there is none currently available to transport elephants. This ambulance is highly advanced, equipped with a forklift and other essential features,” he said.
Beyond immediate needs, Faunaland and Vantara are also preparing long-term plans to revitalise existing facilities or build a new elephant hospital.
“We will revitalise the elephant hospital or even construct a new one,” Danny said.
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Translator: Prisca, Azis Kurmala
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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