Jakarta, hitclubapk3 Indonesia
—
Natural Resources Conservation Center (
BKSDA
) Aceh said that the deployment of four elephants to handle and recover after the impact of the flood in Pidie Jaya Regency had been carried out with careful planning and prioritized the application of animal welfare principles.
Head of the Aceh BKSDA, Ujang Wisnu Barata, said that before the tame elephants were sent to the field, the team first carried out a comprehensive survey of site conditions, accessibility, level of security and operational needs.
“The results of the survey then become the basis for determining routes, work points, resting areas for elephants as well as setting work duration that is adjusted to the abilities and conditions of the animals,” said Ujang in his statement, Tuesday (9/12).
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Ujang said that as part of the commitment to maintain elephant health, the team also ensured that the resting area was adequately prepared.Including the availability of sufficient feed, supporting supplements, as well as a health monitoring system that is carried out regularly.
Animals’ need for drinking water, he said, is also a major concern.To ensure adequate water consumption, the team also prepared a slip-on car containing a water tank and hose that was on standby at the work site at all times.
“The four trained elephants were transported using a shunting truck from the mooring area to the target handling location. This was done for the security and safety of the elephants, including avoiding stress before supporting the handling of flood-affected areas,” said Ujang.
Ujang said, determining the work location points had also been carried out through intensive coordination with the Regent of Pidie Jaya and elements of the local police.This coordination not only ensures the safety of all personnel and animals, but also regulates work time limits so that the elephants do not work beyond their capacity.
In its implementation, the team deployed consisted of eight mahouts, Resort Forestry Police (Polhut) personnel and a veterinarian complete with field medical equipment.All activities also receive full supervision from the police, so that operations can take place in an orderly, safe and directed manner.
Ujang explained that the use of trained elephants for disaster management has actually been implemented in several Asian countries.Including Indonesia during the 2004 Aceh Tsunami disaster.
He said this was a form of guna liman or sustainable use of elephants with the precautionary principle.This is because elephants have abilities that make them effective in handling disasters as long as they are carried out safely, accompanied by a mahout/officer, and prioritizing animal welfare.
“In the current emergency situation, we at the Aceh KSDA Center have the moral and responsibility to help the community. We can help, one way, in efforts to handle and clean up post-disaster materials,” he said.
Furthermore, Ujang said that the mobilization of trained elephants was a collaborative step to help accelerate the recovery of environmental conditions after the flood, especially in areas that are difficult to reach by heavy equipment.
Apart from focusing on recovery, he continued, this mission also shows a strong commitment that the use of animals in field operations must always respect and maintain their welfare.
“This is proof that elephants are not enemies of humans, don’t destroy their habitat, don’t disturb their homes. Because in emergency situations, when everyone is paralyzed, it is elephants who will protect humans,” he concluded.
(dis/ugo)
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