Two dead elephants found in plantation

PEKANBARU: The carcasses of two Sumatran elephants have been found in an acacia plantation owned by PT Rimba Peranap Indah (RPI) in Pontian Mekar village, Peranap district, Indragiri Hulu regency.

Head of the Natural Resource Conservation Center's (BKSDA) Rengat branch, Edi Susanto, said Friday the elephants were female, likely a mother and daughter, and aged 20 years old and 5 years old.

"They likely died of poisoning, but we're not sure yet. There's little chance they were killed by poachers, because female elephants have very small or no tusks. We'll hunt down the perpetrators if there are indications of intentional killing."

RPI spokesman Subroto said the elephants were found by field officers checking plants Thursday at around 9 a.m. in two separate locations 50 meters apart. The animals were bleeding from the eye sockets and trunks, but no immediate indications of violence were found.

"We reported the finding to the BKSDA, and left the bodies as we found them," he said, adding a herd of 10 to 12 elephants often crossed the company's plantation area. -JP