The lifeless body of Molly, a 29-year-old Sumatran elephant, was recovered on the banks of the Cengcengan River in the Village of Guwang in Sukawati on Tuesday morning, 17 December 2024. The elephant was discovered over 3 kilometers from The Bali Zoo when torrential rains swelled the riverside the night before, sweeping the large mammal to its death in the raging river.
The elephant was found on the river’s edge, with its trunk seemingly stuck between several rocks.
The evacuation of the elephant’s corpse and its return to Bali Zoo proved to be a massive undertaking requiring the assistance of police from the Sukawati Police Precinct, the Gianyar Natural Resource Conservation Agency (BKSDA-Gianyar), and personnel from The Bali Zoo in Singapadu, Gianyar.
Officer I Nengah Widiana of the Sukawati Precinct told how police rushed to the scene after receiving reports from residents regarding the discovery of Molly’s body. “The elephant was found in a lifeless condition, resting in shallow waters and lying on the river’s rocky banks.”
The story of the sad demise of Molly began at around 3:30 pm on Monday, 16 December, when she was being herded back to an overnight enclosure by her Mahout. The return path passed through the normally shallow waters of the Ayung River. Due to torrential rains, the volume and height of the river increased suddenly. “As a result, Molly lost her balance and was suddenly swept away by the river’s current,” said Sumarsono, the regional chief of the BKSDA.
An immediate rescue and search effort was launched but was momentarily abandoned at 10:00 pm. It was recommenced after sunrise at 6:45 am the following morning.
A team member from The Bali Zoo confirmed the discovery of Molly’s dead body in Banjar Tegal, Desa Guwang, saying: “The elephant was found with its head pointing to the north and its trunk lodged between riverside stones. Molly’s legs were pointing to the west.”
A team led by Robby Sukmawa of BKSDA-Ginayar led a recovery team of Bali Zoo personnel and residents coordinating the specialized equipment needed to shift the elephant’s corpse, estimated to weigh 2.5 tons.
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