YOGYAKARTA, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, from today, Wednesday (4/5) conducts excavation and bone reconstruction of an elephant from Yogyakarta Palace, Nyi Bodro, which was in the Palace’s South Square. The excavation and reconstruction was marked by the handover ceremony from the Palace which was represented by GBPH Prabukusomo to the Faculty of Biology represented by Dean, Dr. Retno Peni Sancayaningsih, M.Sc. This was followed by symbolic excavation at the location where Nyi Bodro was buried.
According to Dr.Retno Peni Sancayaningsih, M. Sc, the skeleton of Nyi Bodro would be excavated and reconstructed to become a full set of skeleton. The activity will include excavation, cleaning, preserving, reconstructing and displaying the skeleton at the Museum of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada.
"This is also the trust from Yogyakarta Palace for the Faculty of Biology to be able to conduct the excavation and reconstruction of this elephant skeleton, then displaying it in Museum of Biology," Peni said.
Meanwhile, GBPH Prabukusomo expected that the Nyi Bodro’s skeleton is still in good condition so that can be re-assembled. The Palace also hoped that the skeleton of elephant to be stored in the Museum of Biology would be useful for education and tourism.
In the same place, Vice Rector of Alumni Affairs and Business Development, Prof.Ir. Atyanto Dharoko, M. Phil, Ph.D., said that the excavation and reconstruction can be used as research material both for students and lecturers. Besides, this process will make it possible to explore the history of Nyi Bodro.
"Besides useful for high school students visiting the museum, the skeleton would allow research development. Moreover, I heard there are S1 students who will make this topic as a subject for their graduating paper," Atyanto Dharoko said.
Ludmilla Fitri Untari, S. Si, M. Si., Head of Museum of Biology, explained that Nyi Bodro came from Way Kambas and was taken to Yogyakarta in 1996. Nyi Bodro bore a male elephant in 1998. This elephant was captured in Binjai on March 10, 1987 at the age of 16 years. She died in 2000 at the age of 29 because of illness.
"She was able to do a salute, draping flowers or kicking a ball," Ludmilla said.
The excavation up to the reconstruction process, Ludmilla said, is estimated to take about 2 weeks. The reconstructed skeleton of Nyi Bodro is expected to increase the collection of the Museum of Biology and to become one of learning media for students, teachers, and the public. Up to now, Museum of Biology of UGM is the only Biology Museum of universities in Indonesia that stores various kinds of collections, such as specimens of Komodo dragon, lizards, rangkok birds, bengkarung payung from Irian, salamanders from China, as well as biological and fossil collection of objects, all totalling 4000 specimens.
The excavation and reconstruction also involved some academicians of Faculty of Biology, UGM, namely Donan Satria Yudha, S. Si, M. Sc, Drs.Abdulrachman, M. Si, Zuliati Rochmah, S. Si, M. Si, Subakir, and Ratgiyanto, SE.