Five Wild Elephants to Be Relocated in South OKU to Prevent Conflict

RRI.CO.ID, Muaradua - The South Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU) Regency Administration, in collaboration with the South Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), is fast-tracking the relocation of five wild Sumatran elephants.

The animals, which recently caused significant distress in local settlements, are being moved to a secure habitat within the Gunung Raya Wildlife Sanctuary.

Zulfakar Dhani, Assistant for Economy and Development, representing OKU Selatan Regent Abusama, confirmed on Friday, February 13, 2026, that preparations for the translocation are being finalized to ensure a permanent solution for the safety of both the residents and the protected species.

The relocation was triggered by a series of incidents where the herd encroached upon residential areas in the Buay Pemaca and Buana Pemaca districts. "There are five wild elephants that entered residential settlements, causing unrest among the community," Zulfakar said in Muaradua, as quoted by Antara.

To ensure the success of the move, the government is implementing several safety layers to protect both the wildlife and the public. First, sterile transit zones will be established, where temporary holding areas are cleared of all human activity to minimize stress on the animals. Additionally, the plan includes the installation of electric "shock fences" as a security measure to keep the elephants within their new designated boundaries.

Finally, a robust public communication strategy has been launched, with local leaders, including subdistrict heads, village chiefs, and Indonesian Military/National Police personnel, tasked with informing residents along the relocation route to prevent any accidental encounters during the operation.

Yusmono, Head of Conservation Region II for BKSDA South Sumatra, emphasized that the process requires technical patience. Rigorous site inspections and habitat readiness assessments are mandatory before the first elephant is moved.

"The translocation process cannot be carried out in a hurry," Yusmono explained. "We must ensure everything is safe. Even after the elephants are successfully moved, monitoring and maintenance will continue." ***

The BKSDA hopes that by reinforcing cross-agency coordination, this relocation will serve as a long-term blueprint for coexistence. "With this translocation, it is hoped that the harmony between humans and wildlife in OKU Selatan can be restored without leaving traces of conflict in the future," he added. ***