The Jakarta Post 3 Feb 10;
Dozens of wild elephants have been roaming in the operational area of US-based leading oil producer Chevron Pacific Indonesia (CPI) in Duri district, Riau over the past week, but the provincial natural resources conservation agency has no plans to capture the giant mammals.
Head of the agency, M. Hutomo, said Wednesday evacuation of the elephants would spark a conflict between humans and the protected animals, which have been displaced from their habitat due to its conversion into palm oil plantations and residential areas.
“Capturing the elephants will not solve the problem. The best solution is to domesticate the elephants for ecotourism interests and the delivery of oil palm kernels,” Hutomo told Antara state news agency.
The agency is deploying a team to monitor the elephants on a daily basis. Hutomo said the elephants had not caused damage to the oil company’s property as they only were only seeking leaves to eat.
Hungry herd stamps around complex
Rizal Harahap, The Jakarta Post 4 Feb 10;
A herd of elephants have reportedly been foraging for food in a PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia (CPI) Duri housing complex in Bengkalis, Pekanbaru.
It is believed that the elephants are suffering from malnutrition.
Dwi Pujosutrisno, in charge of CPI's communications and media relations, said on Wednesday 25 elephants had been making their way to the complex since Jan. 24 to devour the plants.
"The size of the groups vary. They leave the complex after eating and return when they need food."
Dwi said the company management had instructed the security attendants to monitor the elephants' movement. The residents were advised to reduce their outdoor activities in order to avoid the herd.
CPI had grown plantations in areas that bordered Talang Forest in the hopes the elephants would have enough food and stay put.
It seems the plantations are still too young to satisfy the large herd.
WWF spokesperson Syamsidar said that the elephants had trespassed to the complex for foods because their habitat at the Balai Raja Conservation had been spoiled by illegal logging.
The Balai Raja forest currently holds 120 hectares, or, Syamsidar said, 10 percent from the initial squares when it was first designated in 1986 as the conservation area.
"The vast majority has turned to palm plantations and settlements The elephants had never traveled as far as CPI Duri as the location is not within their roaming range," he said.
"It is happening now because the remaining forest has become a swamp, which overflows during rainy season while elephants are not suited to living in wet areas."
The company has reported to the Riau Natural Reserve Office but there has been no follow-up yet.
M. Hutomo, from Natural Reserve Office of Riau, said they had yet to deploy a team because all personnel were dealing with elephant intrusions elsewhere.
