Sumatran Elephant on High Alert

by: Dambelu

Nowadays, Elephas maximus sumatranus, which is well-known By Sumatran elephant, has been labeled as critically endangered animal. Over the past around 25 years, in 2012, the population of this animal has decreased dramatically to be 2.400-2.800, while 5.000 in 1985. However, there must be causes why it happened, whether due to the elephant itself or even human’s intervention.

To begin with, female Sumatran elephants have very slow breeding. Even if they are able to breed when they have been 10 years old, however, after 22 month gestation period, they only give birth to a single Sumatra elephant. Consequently, by only having 1 offspring around each almost 2 years, they will have very limited population in the future.

Besides because of their characteristic, human activities such as enlarging palm oil plantation in most areas, may restrict their habitats. As a result, it makes them difficult to find another habitats since it has been limited. Even though it is the eldest elephant responsibility for remembering the migration route of its herd, there is no place for them to live anymore.

Moreover, people often kill Sumatran elephants to get their ivory since it is a profitable business to sell. Most people who buy the ivory use it as home decoration, or even as a symbol of status and wealth. This attitude shows how selfish they are due to killing that animal for the benefit of themselves, regardless of its consequence.

Human’s behavior is the most influence on the decreasing of Sumatran elephant population. As Indonesian, however, it is our responsibility to conserve this endangered animal: whether still maintaining their existence, or let them disappear from this world.