Conservation elephants Indro and Indra die within a week in Indonesian parks

Indonesia is mourning the loss of two conservation elephants, Indro and Indra, who died within a week in separate national parks. Gajah Indro, a 45-year-old male elephant at Tesso Nilo National Park in Riau, passed away on June 29, 2026, after receiving intensive medical treatment. His death followed that of Gajah Indra, who died on June 22, 2026, at Way Kambas National Park in Lampung.

Indro, affectionately known as "Captain Indro," was a vital figure in managing human-elephant conflict in the Tesso Nilo area. His death is attributed to complications arising from a significant decrease in appetite after the musth phase, a period of heightened hormonal activity and aggression in male elephants. The Balai Taman Nasional Tesso Nilo (BTNTN) stated that the medical team provided intensive care, but the elephant succumbed to the health issues.

The chronology of Indro's final days reveals a challenging struggle. He entered the musth phase around April 25, exhibiting increased aggression by May 1. By early June, he became unapproachable and unresponsive to his mahout's commands, posing a safety risk. The team provided him with supplementary food and ensured access to water from a safe distance. He was also bathed regularly to maintain his hygiene and body temperature.

On June 24, a medical sedation was administered to fit an additional safety chain due to the prolonged musth phase. Post-procedure, Indro was given an antidote and regained consciousness, standing stable. However, by the afternoon of June 25, he showed a drastic reduction in appetite and water intake. Intensive 24-hour monitoring by the mahout and close coordination with veterinary specialists followed, leading to critical interventions including the administration of supplements and manual evacuation of feces, but ultimately, Indro's health declined.