Sumatran Elephant Habitat Shrinks, 1,585 Hectares

KBRN, Bengkulu: Massive forest clearing and conversion for oil palm plantations have resulted in the loss of 1,585 hectares of vital Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) habitat in Bengkulu Province over the last two years, according to a coalition of environmental organizations.

The alarming destruction, spanning from January 2024 to October 2025, threatens the already precarious survival of the critically endangered elephants in the region, which are estimated to number no more than 50 remaining individuals.

The "Coalition to Save the Seblat Landscape" revealed the extent of the deforestation, highlighting an accelerating trend of land conversion.

“There has been a massive change in forest cover in the key habitat of the Sumatran elephant over the last two years, covering an area of 1,585 hectares,” said Supintri Yohar, a member of the Coalition from the Auriga Foundation, speaking in Bengkulu on Thursday, October 30, 2025, as reported by antaranews.com.

Yohar indicated that the suspected encroachment, which allegedly utilizes heavy equipment, is occurring in the elephant's primary habitat within the Air Rami Production Forest (HP) and Lebong Kandis Limited Production Forest (HPT). These areas directly border the Kerinci Seblat National Park (TNKS), a major conservation zone.

Sentinel imagery analysis through October 2025 confirmed the conversion of 1,585 hectares of natural forest to open land over two years. This total includes 830 hectares cleared in the Air Rami Production Forest (HP) and 755 hectares lost in the Lebong Kandis Limited Production Forest (HPT).

This satellite data confirms a massive loss of habitat within the region, with clearing accelerating across both the Air Rami (HP) and Lebong Kandis (HPT) areas.

The Coalition also reported direct violation of protected areas. Yohar confirmed that the clearing has already breached a conservation zone.

“In fact, from our monitoring, the encroachment has already entered the TNKS (Kerinci Seblat National Park) conservation area at coordinate point TK.5 2°53'54.72"S-101°46'50.30"T, covering 3 to 4 hectares,” she asserted.

Ali Akbar, another member of the Coalition and Chairperson of Kanopi Hijau Indonesia, argued that this continuous destruction demonstrates a failure to protect the Seblat Landscape, which is considered the last remaining home for Sumatran elephants in Bengkulu.

“This demonstrates an inability to secure the forest and the remaining elephant population from all acts of forestry crime. The critical ecological functions of this area, such as its hydrological function and role in climate stability, have also failed to prompt a response,” he noted.

Based on their analysis, the Coalition strongly suspects that large-scale, illegal trade of hundreds of hectares of forest land has occurred within the Seblat Landscape in the Mukomuko Regency.

The Seblat Landscape is part of the Essential Ecosystem Area (KEE) designated as an elephant corridor, spanning 80,987 hectares. This area is the crucial remaining migratory route (home range) for the estimated fewer than 50 Sumatran elephants left in Bengkulu.

The areas of massive forest clearing in North Bengkulu and Mukomuko Regencies fall within the concessions of two logging companies, which are PT Anugerah Pratama Inspirasi and PT Bentara Arga Timber (BAT).

Since 2020, the Coalition to Save the Seblat Landscape has advocated for the Forestry Minister to revoke the Timber Forest Product Utilization Permits–Natural Forest (IUPHHK-HA), also known as Forest Concession Rights (HPH). These demands target two companies, PT Anugerah Pratama Inspirasi (API) and PT Bentara Arga Timber (BAT).

This call is based on the companies' alleged failure to comply with security obligations in their working areas and allowing encroachment and land sale to occur. The Bengkulu Provincial Environment and Forestry Agency (DLHK) has also officially submitted a proposal to the Forestry Ministry. ***