Indro, a 45-year-old male Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus), died at the Tesso Nilo National Park (TNTN) in the early hours of June 29. According to TNTN head Heru Sutmantoro, the elephant, a member of the park’s “Flying Squad,” succumbed to health complications following a prolonged period of appetite loss associated with the musth phase.
The circumstances of the elephant’s decline
Indro entered the musth phase on April 25, a natural period in male elephants characterized by testosterone spikes that can lead to aggressive behavior. By early June, the elephant’s condition became difficult for mahouts to manage, as he ceased responding to commands and posed a physical danger to caretakers. On June 24, a joint veterinarian team sedated Indro and placed him in chains to ensure the safety of staff.
Following the procedure, the medical team administered an antidote. While Indro regained consciousness, he suffered from a persistent loss of appetite. Caretakers attempted to stabilize him with Biodin supplements, intravenous fluids, and a diet of banana trunks, coconut fronds, and elephant grass. Although he showed brief signs of improvement—including increased activity and interest in food—the recovery was short-lived.
Did You Know? The musth phase in male elephants is physically identifiable by the secretion of fluids from the genitalia and specific glands located on the animal’s temples.
Emergency response and necropsy
In the early hours of June 29, caretakers discovered Indro lying down and unresponsive to external stimuli. Veterinarians and mahouts initiated emergency respiratory checks and performed CPR for several minutes, but the elephant was declared dead at 3:45 a.m. at the Camp Elephant Flying Squad in Lubuk Kembang Bunga, Pelalawan regency.
Following the death, a joint team from TNTN and the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA) conducted a necropsy. According to Heru, samples of the elephant’s organs have been sent to an accredited laboratory for pathology testing to confirm the exact cause of death. The carcass was buried near the camp in accordance with established conservation procedures.
Expert Insight: The loss of a member of the Flying Squad represents a significant setback for human-wildlife conflict mitigation in the Riau region. These trained elephants function as a critical buffer, and their absence forces park management to re-evaluate how they protect both the surrounding villages and the remaining elephant population.
Future of the Flying Squad
The death of Indro has prompted a planned evaluation of current care and protection protocols for conservation elephants. Park officials indicated that they are awaiting the results of the pathology tests to inform future management strategies. The Flying Squad, which relied on Indro to prevent conflicts between wild elephants and local human settlements, will undergo an assessment to strengthen its operations moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the cause of Indro’s death?
While health complications due to prolonged appetite loss following the musth phase are identified as the primary cause, officials are awaiting final results from a pathology test on organ samples to confirm the diagnosis.
What role did Indro play at Tesso Nilo National Park?
Indro was a member of the park’s Flying Squad, a team of trained elephants used to mitigate conflicts between wild elephants and human populations living near the forest.
How did caretakers attempt to treat him?
The medical team provided intensive treatment, including sedation, intravenous fluids, energy supplements, and constant monitoring of his temperature and health, while mahouts provided food and water from a safe distance.
How will the loss of a trained guardian elephant impact the safety of the villages surrounding Tesso Nilo?
