Bali – After nearly 15 hours of searching, a Sumatran elephant named Molly, part of the Bali Zoo conservation institution’s collection, was found dead, entangled at the bottom of the Cengceng River in Gianyar Regency, Bali. The animal, scientifically named Elephas maximus sumatranus, had previously been swept away by the river’s current.
“We, along with the Bali BKSDA and assisted by the community, finally found our elephant who was swept away by the current after nearly 15 hours of searching,” said the Head of Public Relations (Humas) Bali Zoo, Emma Kristiana Chandra, in Singapadu Village, Gianyar Regency, Bali, Tuesday (12/17/2024).
Emma explained the chronology of the tragic event that occurred on Monday (12/16/2024) around 3:30 PM WITA, when the 45-year-old elephant was given time to play, explore the environment, and undergo mental and physical stimulation.
After playing in the water with another elephant named Tina and being escorted by two mahouts, Molly walked across the river to return to her enclosure.
“At that moment, Tina the elephant had successfully crossed the river, followed by Molly, and there was a handler behind.” Molly was almost at the edge, suddenly she (Molly) stopped, and at that moment she was swept away by the strong current, and our handler tried to chase after her but couldn’t,” added Emma, sobbing.
At that time, the weather conditions in almost all of Bali were being hit by heavy rain that lasted from morning until evening.
The body of the female elephant, weighing around 2.5 tons, was found around 06:30 WITA on Tuesday (17/12/2024), approximately 2.8 kilometers from the starting point, which is on the banks of the Wos River in the conservation area.
Currently, Molly’s body is still at the bottom of the rocky riverbed, which has now receded in Guwang Village, Sukawati District, and is covered with a blue tarpaulin.
The conservation agency then tied Molly with a chain linked to trees on the riverbank to prevent her from being swept away by the current again.
The height from the riverbed to the ground surface is estimated to be around 5-10 meters.
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