By: Natalia Trita Agnika

Drinking tanks measuring 1 x 3 meters were seen lined up at the Way Kambas Elephant Conservation Center (PKG), Lampung. Since early February, the construction of drinking tanks for elephants in Way Kambas PKG has been carried out. From the size, the drinking troughs are intended for elephant calves. About 16 units of drinking tanks have been completed. On the other hand, a tower was also built with a 2,000-liter water reservoir that can flow water to the 16 drinking tanks.

Thank you to WWF-Indonesia Supporters who have been faithfully supporting elephant conservation efforts through existing donation programs. The improvement of facilities in improving the quality of life of elephants in PKG Way Kambas can be done thanks to the support of WWF-Indonesia Supporters and cooperation with the Way Kambas National Park Center.

During the inauguration of elephant drinking water tanks in Way Kambas on Friday (06/04), Yob Charles, Project Leader BBS, Sumatra & Borneo WWF-Indonesia said that the 16 drinking water tanks can fulfill the needs of 20 individual elephant calves. "Previously, there was no drinking water tank facility specifically for elephant calves. The source of drinking water used to come from the elephant bathing pool," Yob explained.

In addition to the construction of drinking water tank for the elephant calves, WWF-Indonesia supporters will also finance the cleaning of the elephant pond which will be conducted from May to June. The 2,000m2 elephant pond can accommodate 67 individual elephants. The last repair, maintenance and cleaning of the elephant pond was done in early 2017. The pool was filled with elephant feces, identified many bacteria and pathogens that could have a negative impact on elephant health.

WWF-Indonesia assists in the provision and repair of water pools and encourages strengthening the maintenance and improvement of the quality of life of elephants in PKG Way Kambas to provide support for animal welfare. It also serves as a model in encouraging the government to meet standards in the management of PKG in Way Kambas. Some of the trained elephants from Way Kambas have helped to perform elephant-human conflict mitigation tasks in Tanggamus, Lampung, in late 2017.

Chicco Jerikho, as one of the public figures who supports elephant conservation, was present to inaugurate with the management of Way Kambas National Park. To the media crew present, Chicco announced his participation in the London Marathon to voice the preservation of Sumatran elephants. He invited the public to support the Virtual Elephantastic Run and together help provide solutions for people who live side by side with Sumatran Elephants.

Donations collected through the Virtual Elephantastic Run will be used to plant elephant food plants and barrier plants so that elephants will not leave their habitat in Peusangan, Aceh. Thus, elephants and people can live harmoniously side by side and avoid conflict.

In addition to announcing his participation in the London Marathon, Chicco also had the opportunity to meet elephants in Way Kambas. He met the elephant Erin, whose trunk was severed by a poacher's snare. At the end of the activity, Chicco again expressed the importance of sharing space between elephants and humans.