Way Kambas National Park pushed to become international elephant conservation center

Way Kambas National Park (TNWK) in Lampung Timur is poised to become a world-class conservation hub for Sumatran elephants. The initiative aims to elevate the park to international standards through enhanced facilities, improved management of human-elephant interactions, and a steadfast focus on ecological preservation.

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The review of the progress of the acceleration of the development of Way Kambas National Park by the ENP Thailand team and the Wilderness team is a form of attention and coordination to ensure that the development of facilities and infrastructure in the TNWK area proceeds according to the plan and targets that have been set.

To achieve this, a joint team of experts from Indonesia and Thailand is actively involved. This collaboration includes reviewing the progress of infrastructure development within TNWK and pinpointing any technical requirements needed for the conservation area. The team is ensuring that the construction aligns with the park's conservation functions and supports effective Sumatran elephant management without neglecting the surrounding environment.

Brig. Gen. TNI Sriyanto, head of the Joint Committee for Mitigation and Management of Negative Interactions with Sumatran Elephants, emphasized the importance of this review. He stated that the involvement of the Elephant Nature Park (ENP) from Thailand and the Wilderness team from PT Living Landscapes Indonesia is crucial for coordinating development and ensuring it meets established targets. Sriyanto highlighted the need for careful planning, given TNWK's primary role as a conservation zone.

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Way Kambas has now become an important conservation area with a Rhino Conservation Center. The first Elephant Conservation in Indonesia cannot be separated from the success of transforming a former logging concession area into a conservation area as a National Park in the early 80s. Likewise with a major effort 'to save' all elephants from the border of South Sumatra entering Way Kambas in the mid-80s, known as the TATA LIMAN (86) activity.

Beyond physical infrastructure, strengthening the mitigation system for human-elephant conflict is a key priority. This is particularly relevant as the park's elephant population is closely linked to the communities residing nearby. Local community leader and cultural figure Ansori Djausal noted Way Kambas's long history as a conservation area, suggesting its past management experiences can bolster its position as a leading elephant conservation center. He expressed hope that TNWK will become a global model for wildlife conservation, particularly for the Sumatran elephant.

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Supporting conservation efforts, especially to be a world example located in Indonesia in the development and preservation of animals like the Sumatran elephant.