Antara News·Indonesia·Friday, September 18, 2026 at 11:25 AM

Tame Sumatran elephant dies at Riau training center

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Bayu AA, Rahmad Nasution

Pekanbaru, Riau (ANTARA) - A 17-year-old tame Sumatran elephant named Diego died from a digestive tract disorder at the Minas Elephant Training Center in Riau’s Siak District on Wednesday, September 16, after several days of intensive treatment.

Ujang Holisudin, acting head of the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA), said Diego first showed signs of illness on September 10, including diarrhea and reduced appetite.

“BBKSDA Riau’s medical team immediately examined him and initially diagnosed a parasitic worm infection after finding several worms in his feces,” he said in Pekanbaru, the capital of Riau Province, on Thursday.

The team administered antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and deworming medication. After several days of intensive treatment, Diego’s appetite improved and his feces returned to normal, while treatment continued.

A fecal examination at the Arsari Djodjohadikusumo Foundation’s PPS Laboratory in Pekanbaru later found no worms. However, Diego’s mahout reported that he became ill again on Tuesday.

“Clinically, he refused all food and had frequent watery diarrhea. He was very weak and drank very little — five sips in the morning, three at noon with medication, and one in the afternoon while being bathed,” he said.

BBKSDA’s medical team then administered intravenous fluids, supportive medication, vitamins, and anti-inflammatory drugs, while collecting fecal samples for parasite testing.

On Wednesday, the team continued treatment, collected blood samples, administered intravenous fluids, and gave additional medication. Diego suddenly sat down and collapsed before his vital signs disappeared at noon local time.

“Based on the necropsy, the suspected cause of death was a chronic digestive tract infection. After the examination was completed, Diego was buried according to established procedures,” he said.

Diego was a male Sumatran elephant born on Sept. 3, 2009, to Vera and Reno. He was raised at the Minas center and helped welcome visitors to the facility.

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