Newborn Sumatran Elephant Calf Named Rut at Lembah Hijau Wildlife Park

RRI.CO.ID, Bandar Lampung - The Taman Satwa Lembah Hijau Wildlife Park in Lampung has marked a major milestone in Indonesia’s ex-situ conservation efforts with the successful birth of a female Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus), the second calf born to its resident breeding pair.

Born on June 5, 2026, the calf weighed in at a healthy 123 kilograms. She is the second offspring of 29-year-old male Aris and 27-year-old female Mega, who previously made headlines in August 2022 following the birth of their first son, Rawana.

In a gesture of international diplomatic appreciation, Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni has officially named the newborn Rut, a tribute to the Norwegian Ambassador to Indonesia, Rut Krüger Giverin, for Norway’s sustained contributions to Indonesia’s forestry and environmental conservation agendas.

“We give the name Rut as a symbol of friendship and appreciation to the Government of Norway, specifically Mrs. Rut Krüger Giverin, who has shown commitment and real contribution in supporting the forest and environmental conservation agenda in Indonesia,” Minister Raja Juli Antoni said in Jakarta on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, as quoted by the ministry's official website on June 10, 2026.

The birth is seen as a technical triumph for the park’s veterinary and mahout (elephant handler) teams. Satyawan Pudyatmoko, Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE), emphasized that the event proves the viability of sustainable breeding programs even as the species faces immense pressure in the wild.

“The success of Sumatran elephant breeding at Taman Satwa Lembah Hijau is a concrete example of the contribution of conservation institutions in supporting the preservation of protected animals,” Satyawan noted, adding that the success aligns with the ministry’s shift toward welfare-oriented conservation rather than traditional elephant riding performances.

Irwan Nasution, Main Commissioner of Taman Satwa Lembah Hijau, reaffirmed the park's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare. He noted that the birth is a real manifestation of the park’s long-term dedication to ensuring that future generations of Indonesians can still witness the Sumatran elephant in the wild.

The Head of the Bengkulu Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), Agung Nugroho, echoed this sentiment, praising the synergy between professional handlers and regulatory bodies. He highlighted that consistent medical monitoring is currently underway to ensure Rut’s growth and development remain optimal during her first critical weeks.

“This success shows that the synergy between conservation institutions, professional personnel, and wildlife managers can provide a positive contribution to Sumatran elephant preservation efforts in Indonesia,” Agung said.

As the Sumatran elephant continues to face habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict in its native forest corridors, the birth of Rut serves as a vital genetic insurance policy and a symbol of hope for one of Indonesia's most iconic and protected flagship species. ***

https://www.kehutanan.go.id/news/anak-gajah-sumatera-lahir-di-taman-satwa-lembah-hijau-menhut-beri-nama-rut