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Elephants take the flag in Indonesia independence ceremony
ACEH JAYA, Indonesia, Aug 18, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – A trio of rare elephants led
an unusual ceremony in the Sumatran jungle Friday, raising Indonesia’s red
and white flag to help mark the country’s independence day.
Brandishing a flagpole flying the national colours by the trunk, lead
elephant Ulu marched outside a conservation office in northern Aceh province
as onlookers sung the national anthem.
Flanked by friends Johanna and Isabella, Ulu walked slowly over to a group
of handlers to relinquish the flag, which was then solemnly hoisted by
officials.
Afterward the elephants paraded around the conservation area, crossing a
nearby river and circling parts of the surrounding national park.
“As we can see here, this is also an education for us, that elephants can
live side by side with humans,” Rizal, an elephant trainer at the
conservation office, told AFP.
Sumatran elephants are a critically endangered species and face threats
from poaching and rampant deforestation.
At least 11 wild elephants died in Aceh last year, most killed by humans,
according to conservation officials.
The environment ministry estimates only around 500 Sumatran elephants
remain in Aceh.
BSS/AFP/ARS/1644 hrs