The Riau Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA), through the Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU) Team of the Regional KSDA Division I, continues to strengthen its coordination with the Indragiri Hilir Regency Government, the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), and various stakeholders in handling the conflict involving Long-Tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in Tembilahan District, Indragiri Hilir Regency.
Head of the Riau BBKSDA, Supartono, emphasized that the handling of wildlife conflicts must be carried out in a measured manner. Therefore, the government, security forces, and the community must work together.
“Public safety is the top priority in every effort to handle wildlife conflicts. At the same time, mitigation efforts must continue to prioritize conservation principles. Therefore, we continue to work together with local governments, security forces, and all stakeholders to monitor, identify, and properly handle the individual animal responsible for the conflict without creating greater risks for either the community or the animal itself,” Supartono said in a written statement on Friday, August 7, 2026.
The WRU Team of the Riau BBKSDA held a coordination meeting with the Indragiri Hilir Police Chief, the Head of the Fire and Rescue Agency, the Head of Tembilahan District, and the Head of Tembilahan Kota Subdistrict on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. The meeting, held at the Tembilahan Kota Subdistrict Office, aimed to align response measures while evaluating the development of the conflict in the area.
Based on the coordination results, the conflict occurred in the areas of Parit 12, Parit 13, Parit 14, and Parit 15 on Jalan Malagas, Tembilahan Kota Subdistrict. From the first report on July 23, 2026, through August 5, 2026, a total of 19 residents were recorded as having been injured in the attacks. The incidents also caused public concern and psychological distress within the community.
Preliminary monitoring indicates that the attacks were likely carried out by a single adult Long-Tailed Macaque, believed to be male, with a distinctive scar on its cheek. The attack pattern generally occurred when victims were alone or off guard, with the monkey biting the victims’ legs before fleeing. To date, the individual has not responded to banana bait.
Before the involvement of the Riau BBKSDA WRU Team, the Indragiri Hilir Regency Government, together with Forkopimda, had undertaken various response efforts, including searching the area using nets and scoop nets involving personnel from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Fire and Rescue Agency, district authorities, volunteers, and community members. Various mitigation measures have also been implemented to reduce the risk of additional victims.
During the coordination meeting, all parties agreed that efforts to address the conflict would prioritize public safety while continuing to uphold wildlife conservation principles. All parties were urged not to hunt the animal but instead to strengthen field monitoring and prepare a trap cage to safely evacuate the individual once it has been identified.
The Riau BBKSDA also urged the public to remain vigilant, avoid carrying out activities alone in areas that may serve as wildlife movement routes, refrain from feeding wild animals, and immediately report to authorities if they observe a monkey matching the identified characteristics.
The Riau BBKSDA called on the public to remain calm and avoid taking actions that could worsen the situation.
“Handling wildlife conflicts requires the cooperation of all parties to ensure public safety while also ensuring that wildlife is managed in accordance with wildlife conservation principles,” Supartono concluded.
