inp.polri.go.id - Pekanbaru. The death of a Sumatran elephant, found decomposing with its head severed and its tusks missing, in Lubuk Kembang Bunga Village, Ukui District, Pelalawan Regency, on February 2, 2026, marked the beginning of the unraveling of an organized, inter-provincial wildlife poaching network.
In uncovering this case, police have named 15 suspects, while three others remain on the wanted list.
Riau Police Chief Herry Heryawan called this incident a serious warning to all parties.
"Sumatran elephants are not just wild animals. They are guardians of the ecosystem. When they are killed for short-term economic gain, it's not just a single living being that is damaged, but the entire balance of nature," he said.
The investigation revealed that from 2024 to 2026, there were nine elephant poaching incidents in the Ukui area and its surroundings.
"This means this is a pattern that must be systematically stopped. Therefore, we are strengthening integrated patrols and sweep-snare patrols in vulnerable areas," Herry emphasized.
The Head of the Indonesian National Police (INP) Public Relations Division, Inspector General Johnny Isir, emphasized that the handling of this case was carried out professionally and based on scientific evidence.
"After the elephant carcass was discovered on February 2, 2026, a joint team immediately conducted a crime scene investigation. On February 4, a necropsy was conducted by a veterinarian from the Riau Regional Wildlife Conservation Agency (BBKSDA), and copper fragments were found in the skull, confirming the death was caused by a gunshot wound," he said at a press conference at the Riau Regional Police Headquarters on Tuesday (3/3/2026).
According to Isir, the investigation was conducted using Scientific Crime Investigation methods, combining crime scene investigation results, ballistics analysis, digital forensic analysis, GPS collar analysis, and mapping of the perpetrator's network.
He also added that this case confirms that crimes against protected animals are no longer sporadic. They have become a network with a systematic structure, division of roles, and distribution channels.
"With 15 suspects arrested and three fugitives still at large, the government affirms its commitment to being present, taking action, and protecting Indonesia's biodiversity from illegal practices that could damage its future," he explained.
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