GIANYAR, Indonesia — A tragic incident occurred at a zoo on Indonesia’s Bali Island where a 45-year-old female Sumatran elephant named Molly was discovered deceased on Tuesday after being carried away by a strong river current.

Molly, along with another elephant, was being escorted by a mahout to a designated holding area outside the zoo when the unfortunate event took place on Monday afternoon. This routine activity was intended to provide the elephants with both mental and physical stimulation.

As the pair approached the river, the first elephant successfully navigated across. However, Molly was still in the water when an unexpected surge in the current occurred, which was reportedly caused by heavy rainfall upstream. According to the zoo’s statement, this sudden shift led to Molly struggling to maintain her footing, ultimately resulting in her being swept away by the forceful water.

The mahout who was leading the elephants remained unharmed during the incident. Following the event, a dedicated team from Bali Zoo in conjunction with the Bali Natural Resources Conservation Agency commenced a thorough search to locate Molly. Unfortunately, she was found deceased the next morning in the Cengceng River, located in the Sukawati subdistrict of Gianyar district.

In a heartfelt message, the zoo expressed their sorrow over the loss of Molly, describing her as a beloved member of their zoo family. “Molly was known for her gentle and friendly nature,” they remarked. They also emphasized that while this incident was unforeseen, they are determined to evaluate their operational protocols and risk mitigation strategies, particularly during the rainy season, to enhance the safety of all animals under their care in the future. Emma Chandra, the zoo’s head of public relations, conveyed this commitment.

The rainy period in Indonesia, stretching from October to March, often leads to flooding and landslides, posing a risk to both people and wildlife alike throughout the country, which consists of approximately 17,000 islands.

It is worth noting that Sumatran elephants are critically endangered, with estimates suggesting that fewer than 700 individuals remain on Sumatra Island. This particular subspecies of Asian elephants, recognized as one of the largest mammals on the planet, is protected by Indonesian laws aimed at conserving biological resources and their ecosystems.