Resident of Southeast Aceh Regency Killed by Wild Elephant Attack

Deforestation and land conversion disrupt elephant corridors, triggering animal-human conflict.

JUANDA

Residents carry the body of Saleh (32), the victim who died after being attacked by a wild elephant in Sada Ate Village, Leuser District, Southeast Aceh Regency, Aceh, Wednesday (22/5/2024).

BANDA ACEH, KOMPAS — Saleh (32), a resident of Southeast Aceh Regency, Aceh, died after being attacked by a herd of wild elephants while gardening, Wednesday (22/5/2024) in Sada Ate Village, Leuser District. Negative interactions threaten human safety and the survival of protected animals.

Juanda, the district head of Leuser in Southeast Aceh, stated that when Saleh, along with several other farmers, were gathering candlenuts, a herd of wild elephants suddenly appeared in front of them. For a moment, the farmers and elephants stared at each other.

Also read: Conflict Increasingly Massive, Pidie Farmer Died by Elephants

Saleh was not able to be taken to the hospital. His body could only be evacuated several hours later after the herd of wild elephants had moved away. Saleh's body was buried on Thursday (5/23/2024).

Juanda said that Saleh's plantation is located in the mountains that border the forest area. So far, the area has often been crossed by elephants, but this is the first time an interaction with elephants has resulted in a victim.

Head of the Aceh Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), Ujang Wisnu Barata, confirmed that there was a resident who was killed by a wild elephant attack. However, it is not yet known if the incident location is within a forest area or not. "We have not received detailed information regarding the location of the incident, our team is currently heading to the location," said Ujang.

Ujang stated that the damage to animal habitats caused by human activities in the forest area has resulted in increasingly significant negative interactions. Ujang invites all parties to preserve forest areas so that humans and animals can live together in harmony.

Also read: A Central Aceh resident dies after being attacked by an elephant

Saleh's death adds to the long list of human deaths by wild elephants. Kompas notes that from 2011 to 2024, at least 10 residents died because they were attacked by wild elephants.

People need land for agriculture, while elephants need habitat to survive.

Head of the Campaign and Advocacy Division of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) Aceh, Afifuddin Acal, said that spatial planning disputes have created conflicts between protected animals and humans that will never end. Part of the area that was supposed to be an elephant corridor has been transformed into a plantation area.

Afifuddin stated that within the period of 2019-2023, there were 113 cases of conflict between wild animals and humans. The animals involved were elephants, tigers, orangutans, and rhinoceros. The impact of these conflicts resulted in three fatalities and 12 injuries among the residents. On the other hand, 22 elephants also died.

Walhi Aceh conducted a study on the conflict between elephants and humans in the Watershed Area of Krueng Peusangan, Bireuen-Bener Meriah District. The study results indicate that the conflict is triggered by space competition between wildlife and humans. The community needs land for agriculture, while elephants need habitat to survive.

KOMPAS/ZULKARNAINI

One of the houses of a resident in a plantation in Pintu Rime Gayo District, Bener Meriah, Aceh, was damaged due to the rampage of wild elephants on Thursday (2/12/2021). The elephant conflict in the area has not subsided even though ditches and electric fences have been built.

Afifuddin stated that within the period of 2019-2023, there were 113 cases of conflict between wild animals and humans. The animals involved were elephants, tigers, orangutans, and rhinoceros. The impact of these conflicts resulted in three fatalities and 12 injuries among the residents. On the other hand, 22 elephants also died.

Walhi Aceh conducted a study on the conflict between elephants and humans in the Watershed Area of Krueng Peusangan, Bireuen-Bener Meriah District. The study results indicate that the conflict is triggered by space competition between wildlife and humans. The community needs land for agriculture, while elephants need habitat to survive.

Afifuddin stressed that separating the space between humans and elephants is a long-term solution to reduce or even eliminate conflicts. "This crisis must be taken seriously by all relevant parties. If not, we will not only lose wildlife but also face a food crisis and a threat to human lives," he said.

Also read: Aceh Develops Wildlife Management Action Plan