One young elephant's story
Location: Way Kambas National Park, Lampung province, Sumatra – Project completed June 2011, 2084 wells closed.
When Way Kambas National Park was established in 1984, communities were relocated out of the park, leaving behind wells, which became a deadly trap for wild animals.
In 2008, closure teams working in the area found 4 baby elephants in wells. Volunteer teams were assembled to rescue these young elephants. One elephant was released and returned to its family, one (named Pepi) is at the Elephant Conservation Centre at Way Kambas, and 2 have died of injuries and complications. Sakura, who was 3 years old, suffered for 2 weeks in a well and then survived one month at the Elephant Conservation Centre Veterinary clinic before sadly dying.
The team worked tirelessly to locate and fill in 2,084 wells to prevent any further deaths.
This project was managed by SIES with funding from the United States Fish & Wildlife Service.
