RRI.CO.ID, Lampung Timur - The Indonesian conservation community is mourning the loss of Indra, a legendary 42-year-old tamed Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) who died on Monday at the Way Kambas National Park (TNWK). Over a career spanning more than three decades, the bull elephant served as a vital cornerstone for wildlife protection, human-elephant conflict mitigation, and anti-poaching operations across Lampung Province.

Originally hailing from Karang Sari Village in Lampung Timur, Indra was integrated into the Way Kambas Elephant Training Center (PLG) in 1995. Renowned among handlers for his immense physical strength, resilience, and fearless temperament, the elephant spearheaded numerous high-stakes field operations. His track record included rescuing trapped wild herds, conducting deep-forest security patrols, and de-escalating dangerous human-wildlife encounters.

Head of the Way Kambas National Park Bureau, MHD. Zaidi emphasized that Indra's death represents a profound institutional loss for the Ministry of Forestry and national conservation networks.

"Indra the elephant is not just a foster animal, but part of the long history of Sumatran elephant conservation in Way Kambas. His dedication to various field activities and wildlife conflict management has made a real contribution. We express our highest respect for Indra the elephant's dedication throughout his life," said Zaidi, as quoted on ministry's official website.

The long-term decline of Indra's physical health traces back to a severe transportation accident in late 2017. While returning from a demanding field deployment to mitigate human-elephant conflicts near the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (TNBBS), the heavy vehicle transporting the elephant crashed.

The traffic accident inflicted severe physical trauma on the bull. Subsequent veterinary examinations suspected a ruptured spinal disc (suspect ruptur os vertebrae), a debilitating injury that gradually restricted his mobility and complicated his health over the following nine years.

Following the accident, park officials permanently retired Indra from active field deployment. The elephant was placed under an intensive care regimen at the park facilities, receiving daily physical therapy, specialized dietary tracking, and constant monitoring.

However, his overall physical condition continued to deteriorate as he advanced in age.

The emergency unfolded on Sunday afternoon, June 21, 2026, during Indra's routine bath in a local wetland area. As his longtime handler (mahout), Siswo, attempted to guide him back to his enclosure, the elephant suddenly collapsed along the muddy marsh banks and was unable to stand.

A specialized rescue team backed by several other tamed elephants immediately deployed to the site, successfully pulling Indra into a seated position for several minutes before his weakened body collapsed again.

Due to the treacherous swamp terrain, evacuating the massive animal to the primary veterinary hospital was impossible, forcing medical teams to administer round-the-clock emergency field treatments. Following a grueling 20-hour battle to stabilize his vital signs, Indra passed away on Monday, June 22, at 11.06 a.m. local time.

To maintain strict scientific accountability, an extensive necropsy was performed three hours after his death. The post-mortem procedure was spearheaded by Diah Esty Nggraeni (PLG TNWK) and Atma (Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary), assisted by five veterinary technicians from the Way Kambas Elephant Hospital.

To ensure absolute transparency, the surgical procedure was witnessed by delegates from the Lampung Timur Regency Police, the 0429/Lampung Timur District Military Command, and the park’s Forest Police (Polhut). Multiple organ tissue samples were harvested and shipped to specialized laboratories to obtain a definitive clinical diagnosis of the death. Following the examination, Indra was buried at a dedicated site within the national park. ***