Illegal Poaching Suspected After Sumatran Elephant Found Headless in Riau
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- A headless Sumatran elephant was found dead in PT RAPP’s concession area in Riau, prompting an investigation by Indonesia’s environment ministry and BBKSDA Riau. Authorities suspect illegal poaching.
- The disappearance of the elephant’s head signals a strong criminal motive, believed to be linked to illegal ivory trade networks. Officials pledge full legal action under the 2024 Conservation Law.
- The Ministry of Environment and Forestry is leading a joint investigation into a suspected poaching case involving a 40-year-old Sumatran elephant in Pelalawan Regency, Riau.
The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MoEF) is investigating an alleged case of illegal elephant poaching after a decapitated Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) was found in the operational area of PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (PT RAPP), in Ukui Block, Pelalawan Village, Pelalawan Regency, Riau Province.
The Riau Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA Riau) received a report from PT RAPP on Monday (Feb. 2, 2026), regarding the discovery of the elephant carcass in the company’s concession area. The next day, a joint team from BBKSDA Riau, the police, and PT RAPP conducted an on-site investigation.
Supartono, head of BBKSDA Riau, emphasized that the government would not tolerate crimes against protected wildlife.
“The death of this elephant is a very serious incident. The missing head shows strong indications of illegal poaching. Together with the Riau Police, we will thoroughly investigate this case and prosecute everyone involved. A crime against elephants is a crime against the state and the future of Indonesia’s biodiversity,” Supartono stated on Friday (Feb. 6, 2026).
Preliminary examinations confirmed that the carcass belonged to a male Sumatran elephant, estimated to be around 40 years old. The missing head suggests a criminal act involving poaching and the illegal removal of parts of a protected species.
BBKSDA Riau, MoEF, and law enforcement officers are currently conducting a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause of death and identify both perpetrators and any associated networks involved in this apparent wildlife crime. The ministry has classified the case as a serious violation of Indonesia’s biodiversity and wildlife protection laws.
BBKSDA Riau reaffirmed that the Sumatran elephant is a legally protected species. Any act of hunting, killing, possession, transportation, or trade involving its body parts constitutes a criminal offense under Law No. 32 of 2024 on the Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems, which imposes stricter penalties and higher fines on wildlife crime offenders.
Supartono further stated that this regulation provides a strong legal foundation for strict law enforcement.
“Law No. 32 of 2024 offers firm ground for prosecuting wildlife crimes. We are ensuring this case will be handled transparently and in accordance with the law — reflecting the nation’s commitment to protecting the rapidly declining Sumatran elephant population,” he said.
BBKSDA Riau also urged the public not to engage in hunting or trading wildlife species and to immediately report any indication of illegal wildlife activities to the authorities.
Indonesianpost.com | Republika
