Do you still remember the killing of a captive elephant named Bunta at the Serbajadi CRU, East Aceh District, in June 2018? Bunta was poisoned and his left tusk was brutally cut off by a machete - the 1 metre piece of ivory was taken by the poachers. When the photo went viral on social media, the whole world saw how cruel it was. This case highlighted one of the cases where the perpetrators were caught. 

Sadly another elephant has just died in a more horrible way - this time beheaded for his tusks.

This incident occurred on July 11th (2021) in the plantation area of ​​PT Bumi Flora, Afdeling V, Jambo Reuhat Village, Banda Alam District in East Aceh Regent. The male, 12 years-old, elephant was found dead with its head fully removed from the scene. Investigations are currently ongoing including necropsy. Based on early signs of necropsy, there were plastic bags found in the stomach, possibly a sign of poisoning. It is thought that the elephant was killed by poisoning first, then had his head brutally removed. 

Although protection efforts have stopped many deaths, Sumatran elephants continue to be killed in Aceh and every single loss is a blow to the survival of this charismatic megafauna species. Based on the data of Natural Resources Conservation Agency of Aceh (BKSDA Aceh), there have been 6 wild elephants found dead from January - July 2021, 5 of which died as result of snares and poisoning. 

Frustratingly, despite being a protected species in Indonesia, it is rare that  perpetrators face justice. This sets a bad precedent for the conservation of protected wildlife in Indonesia because it suggests that poachers and wildlife traders can operate freely and make money from this brutal trade.

The Sumatran elephant is a species of utmost priority for protection. They are classified as Critically Endangered and only around 500 individuals still roam in Aceh forests, including in the Leuser Ecosystem. Elephants play a crucial role for the balance of the entire ecosystem. 

We ask the Ministry of Environment and Forestry to take decisive action now to prevent any more elephant deaths. This elephant killing case must also be a top priority in law enforcement, ensuring that the perpetrator(s) face the consequences of such a hideous crime. We respectfully request the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and the Indonesian National Police to carry out law enforcement and publish their findings to ensure the case is taken seriously. With this, we also request the Ministry of Environment and Forestry to increase efforts to protect protected wildlife in Indonesia so that similar cases will not happen again.

Join us in amplifying our concern towards wildlife conservation  especially the welfare of the Sumatran Elephant population and other protected wildlife. Protection of these wildlife is very important so that wildlife such as elephants do not become a folk tale for the next generation.

Kind regards,
Lembaga Suar Galang Keadilan (LSGK)

This petition is supported by:
Forest Nature and Environment Aceh (HAkA).