Sumatran Ranger Project

Sumatran Ranger Project Community conservation initiative working to protect the border of the Gunung Leuser National Park. Read more and help support at www.lovetheleuser.org

A grassroots community conservation program focusing on protecting the forest edge in the threatened Leuser Ecosystem. We employ a ranger patrol team to patrol the forest edge collecting data on flora and fauna, land use, human-wildlife conflict; remove snares; engage with and support forest edge communities; mitigate human-wildlife conflict and help provide educational outreach to forest edge com

munities. We also provide training for forest edge communities to deal with wildlife conflict. Our vision is the long term protection of the forest edge for the benefit of wildlife and people. The Leuser Ecosystem is the last place on Earth where Sumatran tigers, elephants, rhinos and orangutans co-exist. The last place where viable populations of these species occur. It has global significance, helping to regulate climate worldwide and storing millions of tons of Carbon in its' ancient peat swamp forests. Over 4 million people rely on the Leuser for income and survival. The Leuser Ecosystem is the largest in tact forest remaining in South East Asia and forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The biggest threats to the Leuser are the Aceh spatial plan, road development, palm oil plantations and mining.

09/04/2026

Just weeks after a critically endangered Sumatran elephant was shot on January 25, 2026, and found dead on February 2 in Riau, Indonesia, the case has taken a major turn. What first looked like a single act of ivory poaching is now linked to a much larger, organised network. Authorities have arrested 15 suspects in early March 2026, with 3 more still on the run, uncovering a structured syndicate involving shooters, traders, suppliers, and middlemen operating across provinces, including links between Sumatra and Java.

Investigations show this wasn’t an isolated case. The same network is believed to be behind multiple elephant killings between 2024 and 2026, all carried out in a similar way—shot, then mutilated for their tusks. The suspects include individuals from different roles along the trade chain, from those carrying out the killings in forest areas to others handling transport and sale. Authorities also seized ivory, weapons, and other wildlife parts. https://tinyurl.com/2s35j9y7

Previous case: https://tinyurl.com/mr2wwd3t

05/04/2026

Several nights ago, our team responded to a local request for assistance following the depredation of livestock by a Sumatran tiger. After informing the appropriate authorities, our rangers, in collaboration with community members, employed various acoustic deterrents to repel the tiger and discourage its return. Given that tigers often cache their prey and revisit the site for feeding, it is crucial to dispose of the remains, which was accomplished through incineration. This week, we have partnered with .conservation to construct a predator-proof livestock corral for a community that has experienced similar human-tiger conflicts.

30/03/2026

Yesterday, we reported on a severely injured bull elephant from the herd we monitor. The elephant exhibited significant lameness in its left hind leg and was discovered in evident distress. Our team promptly contacted government authorities, who responded with commendable speed. Upon sedation and assessment, the elephant was found to have multiple large gore wounds, most likely sustained from the dominant bull elephant in the vicinity. All wounds were infected and purulent, indicating a prolonged period of severe discomfort. Veterinarians meticulously flushed and treated the wounds amd administered antibiotics. Our team will maintain a continuous presence to closely monitor Ogut, as we have affectionately named him. We are collaborating with the authorities to determine the optimal course of action and will remain with him until his condition improves, providing all necessary support.

At this critical time, your assistance is more vital than ever in safeguarding Ogut and his herd. Our dedicated team is working tirelessly, prioritizing his well-being above personal and patrol commitments. This intensive effort is in addition to our regular monthly patrols, and we welcome any support to sustain this level of monitoring and care. We will provide updates as they become available. We encourage you to extend your positive thoughts and healing wishes to Ogut. Sumatran elephants are critically endangered, and each individual is invaluable. We are committed to doing everything within our capacity and jurisdiction, in collaboration with government authorities, to aid his recovery.

This video features Head Ranger Jasson providing an explanation of Ogut's condition while the elephant is sedated, which facilitated his close proximity. Ogut is a wild elephant that has not undergone capture or habituation.

Link in bio to help us help Ogut.





More than 8,000 trees grown, and now they’re heading back into the landscape 🌱In 2023, the Sumatran Ranger Project start...
16/03/2026

More than 8,000 trees grown, and now they’re heading back into the landscape 🌱

In 2023, the Sumatran Ranger Project started a small seedling program with communities living along the edge of the Leuser Ecosystem.

Local team members collected seeds from nearby forests and villages, then carefully grew and cared for them in a nursery until they were strong enough to survive once planted.

Over the past few years, the team has raised more than 8,000 seedlings.

Now those young trees are being donated to forest-edge communities and landowners to plant across farmland boundaries, degraded areas, and riverbanks where tree roots help stabilise soil.

Most of the seedlings are fruit trees, helping provide food and supplementary income for families. Others, like mahogany, offer longer-term value.

In return, landowners make an important commitment: no snares and no harm to wildlife on their land.

Planting is now underway and these seedlings will soon be growing across the forest edge.

Swipe through to see the team getting them in the ground 🌿

Everybody does it...The Sumatran Rangers patrol the forest edge each month. Most of the time they are not seeing the wil...
24/02/2026

Everybody does it...

The Sumatran Rangers patrol the forest edge each month. Most of the time they are not seeing the wildlife in person, but rather what they have left behind. This data, like s**t, is photographed and logged into monthly reports, allowing the rangers to keep a close eye on which animals are choosing to leave the protected forest....and why.

05/02/2026

For two years we collected the seeds of wild forest trees and fruit trees and grew them into seedlings. We've been taking care of them until they reach a size suitable for planting, and donating them to land owners and communities along the forest edge.

31/01/2026

Bringing you our scheduled monthly macaque camera interference program.

2016 Rewind.....We've come a long way in ten years and will be forever grateful to our initial partner for the support i...
21/01/2026

2016 Rewind.....
We've come a long way in ten years and will be forever grateful to our initial partner for the support in 2016 to kickstart this project. Thank you to those who have been here from the start and followed the evolution of our self titled Jungle Boys to local conservationists and community champions. If you've jumped on board more recently, thank you, we appreciate you all ✌️

#2016

20/01/2026

Recently our rangers were urgently called to assist government authorities BKSDA (Centre for Natural Resources Conservation) and TNGL (National Park authority) with a conflict event involving three Sumatran elephants coming into a community and destroying trees and buildings. Together with the authorities they were able to successfully relocate the elephants back to the National Park using noise deterrents, preventing further damage and avoiding retaliatory action against the elephants - a common occurrence along the forest edge when livelihoods amd safety are jeopardized. We are grateful to these organisations for the opportunity to utilize our expertise outside of our usual patrol areas, and provide a safe outcome for the community and the elephants.

06/01/2026

Elephants can hear even the smallest of sounds. This (very muddy) mature bull pauses in front of the trail camera, likely after hearing the faint click of the camera's lens. Even though their hearing is exceptional, their eyesight is not nearly as strong. Lucky for us, getting a good look at something requires him to get nice and close!

Camera traps are an effective, noninvasive tool that allow the Sumatran Rangers to collect valuable behavioral data. By using these cameras, rangers can track monthly patterns and trends in how wild Sumatran elephants move along the border of the Gunung Leuser National Park, without disturbing the animals.

By understanding these trends, the Sumatran Ranger Project can better support the people who live near these elephant travel routes.

29/12/2025

The snack redistribution program in full swing. Like all macaque species Pig-tailed macaques have well developed cheek pouches to allow them to gather food quickly and store it somewhat safely to eat without disturbance; particularly useful when resources are limited or competition is high. Or at least that's how it works in theory. Here we see one macaque saving time and helping themselves to another's stored snack - an efficient and genius way to score a quick meal!

Address

Jalan Kapten M Jamil Lupis, No. 45
Medan

Telephone

+6264274873914

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