GIANYAR, Indonesia (AP) — On Tuesday, the remains of Molly, a 45-year-old female Sumatran elephant, were discovered after she was tragically swept away by a strong river current in Bali. The zoo confirmed that Molly’s death occurred amid the recent heavy rains affecting the area, which are known for causing dangerous flooding during the season.
Molly was one of two elephants being led by their mahout to a designated holding area outside the zoo on Monday afternoon. This routine was part of the daily activities designed to provide mental and physical stimulation for the elephants as they crossed the river. While the first elephant successfully navigated the crossing, the situation escalated quickly for Molly.
As the mahout guided Molly through the river, an unexpected surge in the current occurred due to heavy rainfall upstream. According to the zoo’s statement, “In this situation, Molly lost her balance and was swept away by the current.” Fortunately, the mahout was unharmed during the incident.
After organizing a comprehensive search effort in collaboration with the Bali Natural Resources Conservation Agency, the team located Molly’s body early Tuesday morning in the Cengceng River in Sukawati subdistrict, Gianyar district, Bali. The loss of Molly has deeply affected her keepers and the entire zoo community.
The Bali Zoo expressed their sorrow, stating, “The entire team at Bali Zoo is deeply saddened by the loss of Molly, a female elephant who had been a cherished member of our extended family. Known for her gentle and friendly nature, she will be greatly missed.”
In response to this unfortunate incident, Emma Chandra, the zoo’s head of public relations, stated, “This was an unavoidable event. However, we are dedicated to thoroughly reviewing our operational procedures and risk mitigation measures, particularly during the rainy season, to enhance the safety of all our animals in the future.”
It’s important to note that Sumatran elephants are critically endangered, with fewer than 700 individuals remaining on Sumatra island. This subspecies, part of the Asian elephant family, is protected under Indonesian law aimed at conserving biological natural resources and their ecosystems. The seasonal rains in Indonesia, which typically occur from October through March, often lead to flooding and landslides across the nation, which comprises over 17,000 islands.
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Tarigan reported from Jakarta, Indonesia.
