Pekanbaru, Riau (ANTARA) – A thin mist was hanging amongst trees as the sun slowly parted the sky over the expanse of the plantation forest in Riau. The morning air carried the scent of wet earth, mixed with the distant sounds of birds chirping.The quiet was broken by the heavy steps of a young elephant. Its body was still small with ears swayed gently, and at times its trunk stretched down to touch the ground, as if exploring the world around it.The male calf is now approximately 32 months old. He grew up under the constant care of his mother, Carmen, a 17-year-old female elephant who was almost always by his side. Whenever April strayed too far, Carmen would approach, watching over him with a strong maternal instinct.They live in an area known as the Elephant Conservation Unit (UKG), where elephants coexist with humans as part of efforts to safeguard the survival of the species, whose natural habitat is increasingly under threat.UKG was established as a center for conservation and education about the importance of maintaining a balanced ecosystem. For the caretakers, this place is more than just a pen; it is a space where animals receive care and protection.From the Early HourLife at UKG begins at dawn. Before the sun has fully risen, the mahouts, the elephant handlers, begin their routine.Under the shade of large trees, nine mahouts take turns caring for the elephants. Every three are responsible for two elephants, fostering a close relationship that goes beyond human-animal contact and also builds a bond based on trust.For mahouts, caring for elephants is more than a job; it is a dedication demanding patience, diligence, and profound knowledge of animal behavior.The morning usually begins with bathing the elephants in a stream nearby. The sound of water splashing over the elephants' massive bodies is combined with the light laughter of the mahouts, who are familiar with the habits of each animal.Once bathing is finished, the elephants are fed with fresh grass, though it is not the only food they receive.Mahouts at the UKG also prepare a supplementary food called pudding, a nutrient-rich mixture designed to help maintain the animals’ health.Joko, a long-time mahout at the unit, explained that making elephant pudding isn't just a routine supplementary feeding.”We make this elephant pudding to ensure adequate nutritional intake, especially for elephants that require special attention. We also frequently show this to visitors so they understand that taking care of elephants isn't as simple as feeding them grass,” he explained.The pudding mix typically contains various nutritional elements tailored to the elephants' needs. Its dense texture is easy to consume while also helping to maintain the animals' health.Besides food, the elephants' health is also a primary concern.The UKG is equipped with several care facilities, including a clamp cage, a structure designed to support more detailed health examinations.With such a facility, veterinarians can take blood samples, administer vitamins, or perform other necessary medical procedures.All procedures are conducted with an animal welfare approach, minimizing stress for the elephants.Angga Defila Yoelanda, assistant head of Forest Protection who is involved in managing the area, explained that the UKG's presence is part of efforts to strengthen Sumatran elephant conservation.”At first, we only had three elephants, but as the conservation program strengthened, the number increased to seven. This unit serves as a care and training center, supported by trained mahouts,” Yoelanda remarked.According to him, the increase in elephant numbers is an indication of a proper management system.However, the UKG's presence extends beyond caring for the elephants within the area.CollaborationThis unit is also involved in various conservation efforts at the broader landscape level, including collaboration with the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) and the Tesso Nilo National Park (TNTN) Office.This collaboration includes health checks, medical treatment, and assistance if wild elephants experience health problems in the surrounding forest area.“For pregnant elephants, we also conduct intensive monitoring. Vitamins are given and routine checkups are carried out to ensure the health of the mother and calf until birth,” Yoelanda informed.Furthermore, the UKG area is also connected to an area known as the green belt.The green belt is an area maintained as a natural ecosystem. It contains large trees, water sources, and various types of vegetation that provide habitat for a variety of animals.This area serves as an ecosystem buffer and a wildlife corridor.“The green belt contains water sources that are crucial for wildlife and also serves as a natural route for elephants to move through,” he conveyed.Natural areas like these play a crucial role as pressure on Sumatran elephant habitats continues to increase.Conflicts between humans and elephants in various regions of Sumatra frequently arise from habitat loss. When elephants' roaming routes are disrupted, they often enter plantations or residential areas, triggering conflict.In this context, an area management model that integrates conservation and habitat protection becomes increasingly relevant.At UKG, mahouts are not only responsible for taking care of the elephants within the unit. They also conduct conservation patrols to monitor the surrounding area, to ensure no disturbance to the animals or their habitat.The role of mahouts is crucial to the success of the program. Their relationships with elephants allow for more effective training and care.Mahouts also understand the traits of each elephant, knowing which are easier to handle and which require greater caution. They recognize that every elephant has a distinct personality.April, for example, is known for being active and often trotting around her mother. Occasionally, he would approach a familiar mahout, wagging his ears and moving his trunk as if inviting him to play.This scene shows a small glimpse of conservation in everyday practice, not necessarily through sweeping policies, but through simple routines carried out day after day.However, conservation efforts also come with challenges.In the surrounding forest, wildlife continues to face threats such as snares that endanger many species, including elephants. The death of a baby elephant caught in a snare some time ago served as a reminder that these dangers persist.The Head of the TNTN, Heru Sutmantoro, called the incident a major blow to conservation efforts.”We express our deep concern. This indicates that activities leading to wildlife deaths are still occurring in the forest area,” he said.His office then tightened patrols in the area and strengthened cross-stakeholder collaboration to eradicate wildlife snares.In theory, snares in forest areas must be strictly prohibited as they pose a danger to many species of wildlife, not just the targeted animals.Security efforts in the area are now being strengthened with the support of around 230 Indonesian military personnel guarding the conservation area.This effort is part of a strategy to maintain forest areas as safe habitats for wildlife.For conservation managers, the success of maintaining elephant populations requires collaboration between the government, community, and various institutions concerned with environmental sustainability.Amidst these challenges, life in the Elephant Conservation Unit continues as usual.Under the shade of the trees, April returns to his mother with his trunk moving slowly to the ground, while Carmen stands quietly watching the surroundings.The sound of leaves rustling in the wind accompanies the life that continues around the area.In this place, conservation is no longer just a concept or discourse.It is present in the heavy footsteps of a young elephant, in the hands of the mahouts, and in the long efforts to keep the forest a home for those who have no voice to defend themselves.