Healing the Elephants

Way Kambas National Park in Lampung is one of the most important sanctuaries for the critically endangered Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus), Indonesia's largest mammal. Located more than 100 kilometers from Bandar Lampung, the provincial capital, elephants are able to roam freely within the 1,300-square-kilometer facility.

Nazaruddin, 50, has been working with elephants for more than 30 years. He is a mahout (elephant trainer), and chief of the Indonesian Mahout Forum. "The elephants we train have unique tasks here," he said. "They help us mitigate conflicts between elephants and humans."

May 17, 2016