An unimaginable tragedy happened in Indonesiawhere a savage elephant attacked a family in front of their house and trampled to death an 8-year-old girl who tried to escape but slipped and met her fatal death.
This incident in Indonesia has caused an incredible shock in the province of Riau, while authorities and environmental organizations point out that “fatal” encounters between humans and elephants in the region have become more frequent in recent years.
According to ‘The Sun’, the little girl, Citra, was at home with her family in the West Rumbai area when her father suddenly heard some loud noises outside.
According to the West Rumbai police chief, the father “became aware of the presence of the animals when he heard noises and, a few seconds later, saw three huge elephants just a few meters from the house.”
Himself fearing that the elephants would tear down their little house, he gathered his wife and their four children MrThey tried to leave through the back door.
However, in the panic, little Citra slipped and fell in front of the elephant. Within seconds he trampled hercausing fatal fractures to her skull.
The little girl was rushed to the hospital, but despite the efforts of the doctors, she succumbed to her injuries three days later.
Zulhusni Syukri, director of the Rimba Satwa Foundation, which places GPS collars on wild elephants in the region, even said that “people are partly to blame for these incidents.”
As he explained, “the loss of natural habitat due to deforestation has forced elephants to approach humans in search of food.” This proximity, he added, “has threatened their survival, making them more fearful and irritable.”
Speaking to a Chinese newspaper, Syukri stressed: “These incidents stem from the trauma that elephants have suffered for decades in Riau, due to human interventionsuch as being chased out of villages, trapped or frightened with fireworks. This trauma has changed their behavior and made them more aggressive.”
Following the girl’s death, the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) announced that it had “coordinated with the police and local authorities”. At the same time, he called on residents not to “act aggressively” or “provocatively” towards the elephants. “We understand the community’s fear and shock, but aggressive actions could worsen the situation,” it said.
Syukri warned that “usually elephants walk away when they encounter people, but if they feel threatened, then they react with aggression.”
He also expressed concern that after the tragedy, “residents may intensify their attacks on elephants, which will make things even worse.”