TEMPO.CO, Palembang - The Sumatran elephant in South Sumatra is endangered due to the forest diversion into plantation area done by communities and companies, as well as threats from illegal hunting.
Head of Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) of South Sumatra Genman S. Hasibuan said, based on the collected data, the forest in South Sumatra is still inhabited by at least 114 female and male elephants, both adults and babies.
The elephants live in Padang Sugihan Wildlife Reserve in Banyuasin, Gunung Raya Wildlife Reserve in South Ogan Komering Ulu and nature reserve forest or elephant training center Isau-isau forest group in Lahat District.
“Based on the data in 2013, the number of elephants in BKSDA South Sumatra area is about 114," said Genman S. Hasibuan, on Thursday, January 25.
Genman said the effort to conserve Sumatran elephants were done by monitoring the elephants around Padang Sugihan Wildlife Reserve, monitoring the feed availability around Padang Sugihan, providing education to students and faculties and facilitating the research activities by related parties.
Meanwhile, Azis, Section Head of Region III BKSDA South Sumatra, said that there are still some wild elephants and also the trained elephants in the Wild Reserve Padang Sugihan area.
PARLIZA HENDRAWAN
