Elephants are present in Indonesia, representing a unique and highly threatened segment of the Asian elephant population. These large mammals are found exclusively on two major islands within the Indonesian archipelago. They are categorized into distinct subspecies, each facing immense pressure from human activity. Their survival highlights the urgent conservation challenges Indonesia faces.
Specific Subspecies and Geographical Range
Indonesia is home to the two smallest subspecies of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), each confined to a single island. The Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) is found only on Sumatra, where its range is now highly fragmented into isolated patches of forest. Historically, these elephants were widespread, but their current distribution is limited to eight provinces, with a significant portion existing outside of protected areas.
The second subspecies is the Bornean elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis), which inhabits the island of Borneo. Within Indonesia, this population is restricted to the northeastern part of Borneo, specifically the province of Kalimantan. The Bornean elephants are often called “pygmy elephants” because they are physically smaller than their mainland Asian counterparts. They possess proportionally larger ears, straighter tusks, and a longer tail that sometimes reaches the ground. While both subspecies are generally smaller than other Asian elephants, the Sumatran elephant can still reach a shoulder height of up to 3.2 meters and weigh as much as 4,000 kilograms.
Conservation Status and Primary Drivers of Decline
The conservation status for both Indonesian elephant subspecies is severe, reflecting significant population declines over the last few decades. The Sumatran elephant is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, an upgrade from Endangered in 2012, after its population was estimated to have dropped by at least 80% over three generations. The Bornean elephant is listed as Endangered, with its population having declined by at least 50% over a similar timeframe.
The primary driver of this decline is habitat loss and fragmentation, fueled by the conversion of lowland forest into agricultural land. In Sumatra, nearly 70% of the elephant’s potential habitat was lost within a single 25-year generation due to the expansion of palm oil plantations and the pulp and paper industry. This deforestation shrinks the available area and isolates elephant herds into small forest blocks, many of which are too small to support a viable long-term population.
Poaching represents a consistent threat to the remaining elephants. Elephants are illegally killed for their tusks to supply the ivory trade, especially male elephants. Furthermore, elephants are often killed in retaliation for entering human settlements, which is a direct consequence of their habitats being destroyed.
Managing Interactions Between People and Elephants
The overlap between shrinking elephant habitat and expanding human development has intensified Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) across Indonesia. Elephants move into plantations and villages seeking food, resulting in destroyed crops, property damage, and injury or death to both humans and elephants. When elephants enter agricultural areas, communities sometimes resort to poisoning or shooting the animals to protect their livelihoods.
To mitigate these dangerous interactions, various management strategies are employed by conservation groups and local governments. In Sumatran conflict zones, specialized Elephant Response Units (ERUs) conduct regular patrols, often utilizing domesticated elephants, to monitor wild herds and drive them away from community areas. These units also educate local communities on best practices for crop guarding and early warning.
Technological solutions include using GPS collars on key elephants to track their movements, allowing for real-time alerts to nearby villages. Creating physical barriers, such as electric fences or deep trenches, helps separate human settlements from elephant ranges. Additionally, the development of elephant corridors and infrastructure like elephant tunnels under new highways aims to maintain safe passage for the animals, reducing their need to wander into human-dominated landscapes.