RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - A viral video showing a trapped elephant calf (Elephant maximus borneensis) has prompted cross-border coordination between Indonesian and Malaysian authorities to ensure the animal’s safety near their shared border.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry said it has coordinated with Interpol in Malaysia regarding the rescue of a Bornean elephant calf spotted near the Indonesia-Malaysia border, specifically in Tawau, Sabah.

“Interpol Malaysia is confirming the situation with the authorities there,” deputy director for Forestry Complaint Handling at the Ministry’s Law Enforcement Directorate, Hendra Nur Rofiq, said when contacted from Jakarta on Monday, March 9, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The coordination followed reports received by the ministry’s law enforcement unit after a video circulating on social media showed a baby elephant trapped in a plantation area. After conducting identification, officials determined that the incident occurred at a palm oil plantation in the Tawau area of Sabah, Malaysia.

Hendra said the ministry began coordinating with Malaysian authorities through the Interpol Malaysia network on Friday, March 6.

In addition to international coordination, the ministry’s law enforcement unit has communicated with the North Kalimantan Forestry Agency and the Nunukan Forest Management Unit to conduct patrols aimed at ensuring the protection of Bornean elephants, including in areas bordering Malaysia.

The Indonesian side is also working with the Sabah Wildlife Department to monitor the rescue efforts and exchange information related to cross-border conservation of the Bornean elephant.

The issue gained public attention after a widely shared video on social media showed a mother elephant and her calf stuck in mud at a palm oil plantation. In the comment sections of the video, several social media users reported the incident to Indonesian conservation authorities, including the Natural Resources Conservation Agency and the Ministry of Forestry. ***