Indonesia to Expand Elephant Corridors to Lampung Following Aceh Pilot Program
east Lampung, Indonesia – Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry announced plans on August 30, 2025, to extend its elephant corridor initiative from Aceh province to Lampung, a region grappling wiht increasing encounters between humans and wildlife, particularly tigers and elephants. The move aims to proactively transform these potentially perilous interactions into peaceful coexistence and bolster conservation efforts for the critically endangered Sumatran elephant.
The expansion comes as habitat loss and dwindling food sources drive elephants into closer contact with human settlements, resulting in conflict and posing a threat to both people and the animals. This initiative is crucial for the long-term survival of the Sumatran elephant, with Lampung representing a key area for intervention. Success in Lampung will depend on replicating the strategies employed in Aceh and restoring vital ecosystems, including those within Way Kambas National Park. The program’s implementation will involve habitat restoration, preventative infrastructure, and a deep understanding of elephant behavior.
The project will build upon the Peusangan elephant Conservation Initiative (PECI), currently underway in Aceh. The Aceh corridor spans 90,000 hectares of industrial forest plantation and addresses conflicts affecting 11 villages. Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni stated that the Aceh model will be “replicated comprehensively” in Lampung, offering a proven framework for mitigating human-wildlife conflict.
Antoni emphasized that the root cause of these conflicts lies in shrinking habitats due to expanding settlements and limited food availability within elephant ranges. “Elephants also have vrey long memories. They remember thier origins and often attempt to return to their original habitats,” he explained.This understanding informs the strategy of not onyl creating safe passage for elephants but also actively restoring their traditional food sources.
mitigation strategies will include the construction and reinforcement of embankments, as well as the installation of electric fences to deter elephants from entering populated areas. Though, Antoni stressed that these measures are only part of the solution. “all of this will be replicated in Lampung,but what is equally important is restoring ecosystems here,including at Way Kambas National Park,” he said.
The Ministry’s declaration follows a recent tragic incident in Riau province, where a Sumatran elephant fatally crushed a woman, highlighting the urgency of effective conflict mitigation strategies. Indonesia is currently developing a national elephant corridor master plan, slated for completion by april 2025, which will provide a broader framework for these localized initiatives.
Related: Sumatran elephant crushes Riau woman to death: BKSDA
Related: Indonesia to complete elephant corridor master plan by April 2025
