Conservation Institution
Protecting the forest with elephants
The Conservation Response Unit (CRU) is a patrol unit that works with trained elephants to prevent encroachment, poaching, and human–elephant conflict around Gunung Leuser National Park.
Forest Patrols
Mahouts and elephants cover vulnerable areas every week, recording wildlife tracks and illegal activity.
Conflict Mitigation
The team guides wild herds away from village farms without harming animals or people.
Elephant Care
Regular health checks, natural forage, and free time in the forest for every individual.
Community Education
School programmes and local guide training so ecotourism benefits return to the village.
Organisational Structure
Run by villagers, for the forest
The Puncak Angin Sei Serdang Tourism Group (KOMPPASS) is run by the villagers of Sei Serdang.
Guide Team
Certified, born and raised in Sumber Waras
Every group is accompanied by at least one guide and one CRU ranger.
- 01G1
[Nama Guide 1]
Wildlife tracking specialist · CRU ranger
Indonesia · English
12years
- 02G2
[Nama Guide 2]
Forest & medicinal plant guide
Indonesia · Deutsch
8years
- 03G3
[Nama Guide 3]
Wildlife photography & birding
Indonesia · English
6years
Conservation Institution
Our journey
2001
The Sumber Waras community agreed to end illegal logging and formed a village tourism institution.
2004
The elephant-based patrol unit began operating on the national park border.
2015
The first elephant calf was born at the conservation centre.
2026
Launch of online booking and e-tickets for wild elephant observation.
Our Herd
Meet the conservation elephants
Herd matriarch
Sari
Female · 34 years
Calm and patient, Sari leads the morning patrols and guides the younger elephants.
Patrol elephant
Bima
Male · 27 years
Strong and curious, Bima is reliable at pushing through brush during conflict mitigation.
Patrol elephant
Melati
Female · 19 years
Loves grazing leisurely in the shade of the trees every afternoon after patrol.
Calf
Tunas
Male · 6 years
Born at the conservation centre, Tunas is the symbol of hope for our herd.
“Every elephant track we follow is a path opened for the other wildlife in this forest.”
— CRU Sumber Waras ranger
Conservation Institution
Visitor ethics
Fund Transparency
Where your support goes
Average allocation of ticket, donation, and adoption funds. Full reports are published every quarter.
- 40%Elephant food & supplements
- 25%Mahout pay & welfare
- 15%Medical care
- 12%Forest patrols
- 8%Community & education programmes
See this conservation work for yourself
Join a wild elephant observation with the rangers and mahouts who protect the forest every day.
Book Now