Patrols tightened to protect South Sumatra's elephant habitats: BKSDA

 Indonesia’s South Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) has tightened 24-hour patrols in Padang Sugihan Wildlife Reserve, Ogan Komering Ilir District, to prevent forest and land fires from spreading into Sumatran elephant habitats and corridors.

BKSDA South Sumatra Chief Daniwari Widiyanto said in Palembang on Wednesday that protecting elephant habitat was a priority in dealing with fires in the conservation area.

BKSDA South Sumatra has established seven fire-control posts in Padang Sugihan Wildlife Reserve since early August. All seven posts operate around the clock to patrol and monitor potential fires.

“There are seven posts in the area. All remain on standby 24 hours a day to patrol and prevent fires,” he said.

Besides preventing and extinguishing fires, BKSDA has increased monitoring of elephants under its care at the Jalur 21 Elephant Conservation Center in Padang Sugihan.

“The elephants at the Jalur 21 center continue to receive intensive daily monitoring by mahouts and medical teams,” he said.

He said the dry season could also affect water and food supplies for wildlife, adding that the elephants’ nutritional needs, supplements, medicines, and water were being met.

BKSDA South Sumatra continues to monitor fires in Padang Sugihan Wildlife Reserve to ensure they do not spread toward elephant habitats or their roaming corridors.

The measures come as the dry season increases the risk of forest and land fires, which could disrupt ecosystems and threaten wildlife in the conservation area.