(Two elephants help clear fallen trees in the disaster area.)

On Indonesia’s island of Sumatra, floods and landslides triggered by Tropical Cyclone Senyar left devastation in their wake. Rescue efforts relied not only on people and machinery, but also on a special group of helpers: elephants. In Pidie Jaya, Aceh Province, four trained Sumatran elephants were deployed to disaster zones to clear fallen trees and help reopen blocked roads.

(Three Sumatran elephants participate in disaster cleanup.)

The elephants came from a local Sumatran Elephant Training Center and were no strangers to disaster response. They had already taken part in reconstruction efforts after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, earning them the nickname “experienced rescuers” from forest rangers and mahouts. Where floodwaters submerged roads and debris piled up with logs and rocks, their strength and keen judgment allowed them to access narrow areas beyond the reach of heavy machinery, removing obstacles and reopening lifelines for relief supplies.

Rescue workers and trainers said the elephants, trained over many years, respond well to commands and can be more agile than bulldozers in difficult terrain. “They can read the ground and avoid dangerous rocks and mud,” one handler noted, “which is crucial for quickly reconnecting affected villages.” At the same time, teams placed strong emphasis on the elephants’ welfare, setting up rest points and providing ample water and veterinary care to prevent exhaustion or injury.

The operation has also drawn attention to the relationship between humans and elephants. These gentle giants are not only cultural and ecological symbols, but partners in times of crisis. Conservationists, however, warn that as an endangered species, elephants face ongoing habitat loss, while climate change is increasing disaster risks. Protecting ecological balance, they say, is key to reducing future disasters and safeguarding the shared home of humans and wildlife.

While the floods brought destruction, they also reminded people that elephants are not just part of nature; they are living beings willing to lend a helping hand in humanity’s hour of need.