Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Ministry of Forestry of Indonesia has intensified efforts to protect the critically endangered Sumatran Elephant through the use of thermal drone technology in the Seblat Landscape, one of the species’ most important habitats in Indonesia.
The monitoring operation, conducted in the Bentang Alam Seblat (BAS) area on 10 May 2026, marked the first time thermal drone scanning technology has been deployed in the region to track wild elephant populations. The initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen wildlife conservation and habitat protection through technological innovation.
During the field monitoring, conservation teams successfully identified a herd of 17 wild elephants consisting of four calves and 13 juvenile to adult elephants. The presence of calves within the group indicates that natural reproduction and population regeneration are still occurring within the Seblat ecosystem.
The monitoring effort gained additional urgency following the recent deaths of two wild elephants in the area, as well as several elephant mortality cases recorded in previous years across the Seblat Landscape and surrounding habitats. These incidents highlight the continuing threats faced by Sumatran elephants, including habitat degradation, human-wildlife conflict, and other environmental pressures.
According to the Ministry of Forestry, thermal drone technology enables conservation officers to conduct more effective surveillance in difficult terrain while minimizing disturbance to wildlife behavior. The technology also provides more accurate data to support habitat management and future conservation planning.
Head of the Bengkulu Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA Bengkulu), Agung Nugroho, stated that the successful monitoring operation represents an important milestone in strengthening elephant conservation efforts in Seblat.
“The use of thermal drones for monitoring wild elephants in the Seblat Landscape is a significant breakthrough that greatly assists field teams. Through this monitoring, we can directly identify elephant groups and their population structure without causing major disturbance to the animals. This reflects the commitment of the Ministry of Forestry through BKSDA Bengkulu to strengthen the protection and conservation of Sumatran elephants,” Agung said.
He added that the monitored herd represents only one of several elephant groups inhabiting the Seblat Landscape. Continuous monitoring and habitat security measures will therefore remain essential to ensure all elephant populations in the area are properly protected.
“We hope all stakeholders will continue supporting efforts to preserve Sumatran elephant habitats and strengthen ongoing conservation initiatives. The Sumatran elephant is an essential part of the forest ecosystem that must be safeguarded for future generations,” he added.
The Ministry of Forestry reaffirmed its commitment to encouraging collaboration among government agencies, local communities, conservation organizations, and the wider public to ensure the long-term survival of Sumatran elephants and their natural habitat. (*)
