RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Forestry has introduced thermal drone technology to monitor wild Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) populations within the Seblat Landscape (BAS) in Bengkulu. This inaugural use of thermal scanning in the region marks a significant technological leap in efforts to safeguard one of the elephant's most critical habitats.

The recent monitoring mission successfully identified a wild herd of 17 elephants, consisting of 13 juveniles and adults, along with four calves. The presence of young calves is viewed as a highly positive indicator that natural reproduction and population regeneration are still actively occurring within the Seblat ecosystem.

The deployment of this technology follows a somber period for the region, which has seen the deaths of two wild elephants recently, adding to a history of fatalities in and around the Seblat Landscape over previous years. These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing threats faced by the species, including habitat degradation and human-wildlife conflict.

The use of thermal drones offers several strategic advantages for wildlife protection. This technology provides enhanced accessibility, allowing teams to monitor remote areas that are physically difficult to reach on foot.

Furthermore, it ensures non-invasive observation by minimizing human interference with the animals' natural behavior. Ultimately, these drones facilitate data-driven conservation by providing the precise population data necessary to inform targeted habitat management strategies.

Head of the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) in Bengkulu, Agung Nugroho, described the thermal drone initiative as a breakthrough for field teams.

“The use of thermal drones in monitoring wild elephants in the Seblat Landscape is a new breakthrough that greatly assists teams in the field. From these monitoring results, we can directly determine the presence of elephant groups and their population structure without causing significant disturbance to the animals,” Nugroho said, as quoted on Ministry's official website.

He further emphasized that the herd identified is just one of several groups residing in the BAS region. BKSDA Bengkulu plans to continue these monitoring and habitat security activities sustainably to ensure the entire population remains protected.

The Ministry of Forestry is calling on all stakeholders to collaborate in protecting the Sumatran elephant's habitat, underscoring that the survival of this protected species is vital for the health of the forest ecosystem and for the benefit of future generations. ***