- Indonesia Combats Deadly Elephant Virus
- Sumatran elephants challenged by Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV)
JAKARTA, Indonesia – Vantara, a wildlife conservation centre based in India, is providing technical expertise to Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry to combat a deadly herpesvirus affecting the nation’s critically endangered Sumatran elephants.
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The collaboration follows the recent death of a young elephant from the virus and involves Vantara specialists working on-site in the province of Riau.
What is new?
Vantara, a global wildlife center in Jamnagar, India, is supporting Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry in its efforts to reduce deaths among Sumatran elephants caused by Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV).
A team of veterinarians, biologists, and other specialists from Vantara arrived in Riau on Monday to assist with response measures, working in coordination with Indonesian authorities and local partner Fauna Land Indonesia. This partnership was initiated after a young elephant recently died from an EEHV infection at the Sebanga Elephant Conservation Center in Bengkalis, Riau.
Key Details
The joint effort focuses on strengthening early detection, preventive care, and veterinary response to the disease, particularly for elephants under human care.
Vantara is contributing technical expertise in veterinary diagnostics, preventive healthcare, and research support related to antiviral treatment options. The initiative also includes the development of baseline health data for the elephants. A key component of the mission is capacity building through knowledge sharing and training for local elephant caretakers and veterinary personnel.
Broader Impact
The Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) is classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), facing threats from habitat loss and diseases like EEHV.
While the initial phase of this initiative is focused on the Buluh Cina Nature Tourism Park in Riau, the preventive framework and technical inputs are expected to be extended to other key elephant habitats. These locations include Tesso Nilo National Park, Sebanga, Way Kambas, and other areas across Indonesia. The cross-border exchange is intended to serve as a model for structured, data-driven wildlife health management, contributing to the long-term conservation of the species.
About this company
Vantara is a global wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation centre located in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India. Founded by Anant Ambani, the organization is dedicated to the rescue and long-term care of wildlife, with specialized expertise in the health and welfare of both Asian and African elephants. The facility includes one of the world’s most advanced elephant hospitals, which integrates modern veterinary science with an emphasis on early intervention, disease prevention, and sustainable conservation outcomes.
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