mid news of rampant deforestation and illegal wildlife animal trading, Tesso Nilo National Park (TNTN) in Riau brings good news after Ria, a 55-year-old female Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) gave birth to a female calf.
The birth is a relief for protected animal conservation and adds new hope for Sumatran elephants, which face extinction.
Tesso Nilo National Park head Heru Sutmantoro said the calf was first found in a forest about 1 kilometer from a conservation post called the Camp Elephants Flying Squad in Lubuk Kembang Bunga village, Ukui district, Pelalawan regency.
The calf was found with her mother and the placenta was found at the birth location.
The birth was discovered on Wednesday at about 7:30 a.m. by mahout Erwin Daulay. When he was about to move Ria from her binding spot to a grazing area, Erwin saw that Ria was accompanied by a newborn calf.
“Based on the condition in the field, the calf was estimated to be born at about 4 a.m.,” Heru said on Thursday.
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning.
The discovery was immediately reported to the resort head and the TNTN medical team. Veterinarians led by Teguh Iman Notonegoro moved to the location using motorcycles carrying medical equipment to conduct medical checks on the mother and calf.
