TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Aceh Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) in Indonesia confirmed the discovery of a Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) dead in a community plantation in Karang Ampar Village, Ketol District, Central Aceh Regency. The report of the protected animal's death was received on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
Following up on this information, the Aceh BKSDA team, along with personnel from the Karang Ampar Sector Police, the Babinkamtibmas (community police officer), and WWF Indonesia partners, immediately inspected the scene. Based on initial inspections at the scene, the team determined that the approximately 20-year-old female elephant was suspected to have died on Friday evening, February 20, 2026, after being electrocuted by high-voltage electric wire. When found, the elephant's trunk was still entangled in the wire.
The team has cordoned off the area while awaiting the arrival of a medical team on its way to conduct a necropsy and burial.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Aceh Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), Ujang Wisnu Barata, warned that the practice of installing high-voltage electric wires is extremely dangerous. "Installing high-voltage electric wires carries significant risks that not only endanger wildlife, but also the safety of ourselves, our families, and local residents," Ujang said in a written statement on Monday, February 23, 2026.
Separately, in Pantan Lah Village, Pintu Rime Gayo District, Bener Meriah Regency, a damaged electric fence is suspected to be one of the causes of the death of a resident in a conflict with a wild elephant. The incident occurred on Saturday, February 21, 2026, with the victim identified as Musahar (53 years old).
Teuku Irmansyah, Head of the Conservation Section for Region I of the Aceh BKSDA, revealed that the incident began when Musahar and his wife had been staying for three days in a hut in a cornfield about three kilometers from the settlement. On Saturday morning, around 6 a.m., Musahar discovered wild elephant tracks near his hut and took the initiative to follow them.
Shortly afterward, his wife heard three elephant roars. Alarmed, she immediately called her son to check on Musahar. Upon arrival, the victim's son found his father lying on the ground with trampled wounds to his chest and jaw, suspected to have been caused by a wild elephant. Musahar was rushed to a nearby hospital, but his life could not be saved.
Irmansyah suspects that the conflict between residents and wild elephants occurred partly because many of the barriers or electric fences that served as barriers were damaged or poorly maintained. Furthermore, there had been changes in the elephants' roaming routes due to floods and landslides, which are strongly suspected to have altered the elephants' movement patterns and natural habitat.
Irmansyah urged residents to temporarily avoid activities in conflict areas and not attempt to drive away the elephants on their own. "If you find elephant tracks or the presence of elephants around residential areas, immediately report it to officers so they can be handled according to safety procedures," said Irmansyah.
He warned that interactions with wild animals carry high risks because their behavior is influenced by natural instincts that are difficult to predict. A team from the Aceh Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) has been deployed to provide assistance to the victim's family. However, direct inspection of the incident location is still pending while waiting for the security situation on the ground to be conducive.
Read: Orangutan Found Near Central Kalimantan's Oil Palm Plantation Linked to Land Clearing, Says BKSDA
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
