Elephant Day Momentum, IPB University Conservation Expert Highlights Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation
In celebration of Elephant Day, which is commemorated every August 12, wildlife conservation expert from IPB University, Prof Burhanuddin Masyud, emphasized the importance of mitigating conflicts between humans and elephants.
This call comes following the tragic incident of a baby elephant being struck and killed by a truck in Perak, Malaysia (5/11), as well as a similar case on the Pekanbaru–Dumai Toll Road in Indonesia some time ago. Both cases serve as a warning of the high risks posed by the overlap between wildlife habitats and human infrastructure.
Elephant Social Bonds
Regarding the incident in Malaysia, Prof Burhanuddin highlighted the natural behavior of elephants, which demonstrates strong social bonds.
“The mother elephant’s response to attack the truck that hit her calf shows natural instincts and strong social bonds among elephants. Generally, elephants are known as wild animals with a high protective instinct toward their young,” he explained on (8/8).
The “Living in Harmony” Approach
According to Prof Burhanuddin, the concept of human-elephant coexistence, as implemented in the Pekanbaru–Dumai corridor, is a realistic conservation approach that can be developed.
“This approach is integrative, especially since elephants are close to humans. For example, the use of domesticated elephants to control wild elephants while integrating them with tourism,” he said.
He also commended the construction of elephant tunnels on the Pekanbaru–Dumai Toll Road as a concrete solution for conflict mitigation.
“This is an alternative for conflict mitigation at the boundary between elephant habitats and human settlements. Elephants have natural, repetitive movement patterns according to the seasons, so such infrastructure is important to replicate in other locations,” he said.
Prof Burhanuddin added that similar risks are also found on the road through Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, which connects Lampung and Bengkulu provinces.
He also highlighted the results of a dissertation study by one of his students on a “coexistence” development model in Aceh. The study formulated recommendations for an elephant conflict mitigation approach in areas where elephants enter community plantations.
“The research findings indicate that communities can choose plantation crops based on elephant preferences. Culturally, elephant-caused crop damage can be viewed as ‘charitable acts,’ provided it does not result in significant economic losses,” he said.
Priorities for Conflict Mitigation Policy
Prof Burhanuddin emphasized the importance of systematic and collaborative mitigation policies. He recommended two priority steps. First, the collaborative implementation of Law No 32 of 2024 on Preservation Areas (wildlife corridors) involving various stakeholders.
Second, the development of elephant conservation centers as ex situ conservation institutions that serve both conservation and educational tourism purposes.
Closing his statement, Prof Burhanuddin stressed that the conservation of the critically endangered Sumatran elephant can only be achieved through collaborative and innovative approaches.
“Conservation cannot stand alone. We must be able to balance development and environmental conservation in a harmonious manner,” he concluded. (Fj)/(IAAS/FMT)
