President Prabowo allocated 90,000 hectares in Aceh to protect the endangered Sumatran elephant. Professor Wisnu Nurcahyo, a wildlife expert at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKH UGM), acknowledged the significance of the initiative.
He emphasized that even an allocation of 20,000 hectares would already be a substantial contribution to elephant conservation. However, he stressed that the success of such a project depends not only on the size of the land but also on its ecological suitability and legal clarity.
“If the land is to be developed like a national park, that would be excellent. However, the biggest challenge lies in land status issues. Many areas overlap with palm oil plantations, mining operations, or human settlements,” he said on Tuesday (Jul. 22).
According to Professor Nurcahyo, effective conservation efforts must be grounded in preserving elephants within their natural habitats, areas that still contain adequate sources of food and water. Relocating elephants to former plantations or regions near human settlements poses high risks and disrupts the ecological balance.
In addition, he stressed the need for inclusive collaboration, involving not just the central and local governments, but also local communities, non-governmental organizations, and international bodies such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
“The government already has an Elephant Conservation Strategy and Action Plan. Now, it’s time for real implementation. This requires cooperation and funding from multiple sources, such as government budgets, corporate CSR programs, and international donors,” he explained.
Professor Nurcahyo also drew attention to the limited government budget for elephant conservation, which has hampered essential activities such as anti-poaching patrols and veterinary care.
“We’ve lost many baby elephants to the Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV), and adult elephants still fall victim to poaching and wire snares. Budget constraints severely limit medical care and field protection, two crucial aspects for the survival of the species,” he added.
He concluded with a call for shared responsibility in protecting the Sumatran elephant. UGM, he said, stands ready to support the mission through academic research, field collaboration, and public education.
“Conservation cannot rely solely on government initiatives. It demands a collective movement. With courageous policies, real collaboration, and strong scientific support, elephant conservation is not only possible; it must become a shared commitment for a more sustainable future,” the expert concluded.
Author and Post-editor: Kezia Dwina Nathania
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Photograph: Instagram @tn_waykambas