Veteran Sumatran Elephant Jovi Dies After Illness in Riau
- 04 Agt 2026 14:29 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Key Points
- Jovi, a 46-year-old trained Sumatran elephant at the Minas Elephant Training Center in Riau, died after 34 days of intensive treatment for digestive and respiratory infections.
- The veteran elephant served for more than two decades in mitigating human-elephant conflicts across Riau, making him a key figure in regional conservation efforts.
RRI.CO.ID, Pekanbaru - A 46-year-old trained male Sumatran elephant named Jovi passed away at the Minas Elephant Training Center (PLG) in Siak Regency, Riau, following severe medical complications arising from digestive and upper respiratory tract infections.
The Riau Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) reported that Jovi died on Monday night, August 3, 2026, at 8.47 p.m. local time despite undergoing 34 days of round-the-clock intensive medical treatment.
Medical teams administered continuous IV fluids, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and supportive therapies after symptoms, including appetite loss, body tremors, and muscle stiffness, first emerged on July 1, 2026. Jovi's condition deteriorated rapidly on August 3 as his body temperature spiked to 40 degrees Celsius before severe tremors set in.
Originally hailing from Indragiri Hulu Regency and joining the Minas PLG in February 1998, Jovi served for over two decades as a key trained elephant in human-wildlife conflict mitigation operations across Riau Province. Following necropsy examinations, BKSDA officials buried Jovi in accordance with standard wildlife health protocols.
Conservation authorities and veterinary medical teams expressed deep sorrow over the loss of a key elephant that dedicated over two decades to safeguarding both rural communities and wild elephant herds.
Acting Head of Riau BKSDA, Ujang Holisudin, paid tribute to Jovi’s long service in regional conservation efforts. "This adult male elephant, who rendered great service in helping handle various human and wildlife conflicts in Riau Province, has taken his last breath," he said in Pekanbaru on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, as quoted by Antara.
Coordinator of the Riau BKSDA Medical Team, Rini Deswita, detailed the final hours of intensive treatment provided by the veterinary team.
"On Monday, August 3, 2026, around 4.00 p.m. local time, his body temperature rose to around 40 degrees Celsius, the medical team continued providing fluid therapy through IV, oral, and rectal administration, along with other supportive measures. However, at 8.43 p.m., Jovi experienced severe tremors, and at 8.47 p.m., he was declared dead," Rini Deswita explained. ***
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