JAKARTA, Sept 10 (NNN-ANTARA) – A critically endangered Sumatran elephant was found dead at a farmland, in Indonesia’s Aceh province yesterday, and an investigation is underway, to find out the cause of the death, a police officer and an official said.
The farmland is situated in Mila sub-district of Pidie district, the Mila sub-district police’s chief, Asyari, revealed.
The body of the male Sumatran elephant is complete, with its ivories still intact, the police officer said.
He said that, a herd of wild elephants often trample on farming areas, causing anxiety among residents.
A team of veterinarians has been sent to the scene, to investigate the cause of the death, head of the Provincial Natural Resources Conservation Centre, Agus Arianto, said.
“When the elephant died and what is the cause of it, we are still waiting for the result of the examination,” he said.
However, the official said, the destruction of the mammal habitat could trigger conflicts with humans leaving disadvantages to both sides.
The Sumatran elephant is a sub-species of Asian elephant, which is extremely rare at present with their number just over 2,000, based on the estimation in 2000.
The Sumatran elephant is found exclusively on Sumatra Island, and their population has severely edged down, as they have lost more than 80 percent of their habitat due to deforestation.– NNN-ANTARA
