A female elephant named Moly, owned by Bali Zoo, was found lifeless on Tuesday morning, Dec. 17, after being swept away by the swollen river currents caused by heavy rains in Gianyar, Bali.
The incident occurred on Monday, Dec. 16, during Moly’s daily care routine.
Moly, a 45-year-old elephant, was being guided back to the holding area around 3:30 PM WITA after her routine activities, which include exploration, play, and physical stimulation.
The route to the holding area required crossing a normally calm river. However, sudden heavy rainfall caused the water level to rise dramatically, creating a strong current. Moly lost her balance and was carried away by the surge.
The incident prompted an immediate and intensive search operation by Bali Zoo’s internal team, in coordination with the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) Bali, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Gianyar, and local residents.
Despite their efforts, the elephant’s body was discovered lifeless in the Cengcengan River, Desa Guwang, Sukawati, approximately three kilometers downstream from where she was swept away. Moly’s body was located at around 6:30 AM WITA on Tuesday.
Bali Zoo’s Response
Emma Chandra, Public Relations Officer for Bali Zoo, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss.
“We are heartbroken by the passing of Moly, who has been a beloved member of our family for many years. Moly was known for her gentle and friendly nature. We are currently focusing on the process of retrieving her body and bringing her back to Bali Zoo,” Emma stated.
Emma also noted the zoo’s commitment to improving safety measures. “This incident, which took 15 hours of search and rescue, is a devastating loss. While difficult to avoid due to the extreme weather conditions, we will conduct a thorough review of operational procedures and risk mitigation, particularly during the rainy season, to ensure the safety of all our animals in the future.”
BPBD Gianyar officials confirmed that their evacuation efforts were hindered by the elephant’s significant weight, necessitating professional expertise and equipment for the recovery process.
“The evacuation required a specialized approach due to Moly’s size and weight, making it a challenging task,” explained I Gusti Ngurah Dibya Presasta, Head of Emergency and Logistics at BPBD Gianyar.
The tragedy has sparked public attention, with videos of Moly being swept away going viral on social media.
Bali Zoo extended its gratitude to all parties involved in the search and recovery efforts. “We deeply appreciate the hard work and support from our team, the BKSDA Bali, BPBD Gianyar, and the local community during this challenging time. Their efforts have meant a great deal to us,” Emma concluded.
