In Sumatra, the loss of forests and increasing human populations has placed elephant populations in jeopardy. In addition, elephants that wander into human settlements are often relocated to conservation centers in Sumatra. However, insufficient knowledge and funding have resulted in a serious lack of food and care for these elephants.

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (CZBG), working with the International Elephant Foundation, has provided funding for supplies and training to the Sumatran Elephant Conservation Centers. Elephant experts and veterinarians share information with the staff at the conservation centers on captive elephant husbandry and health care to improve the lives of the elephants at the centers and work with the Indonesian Government to develop programs for habitat protection and the future of the wild and captive Sumatran Asian elephant.

CZBG also supports Conservation Response Units (CRU) established at the Seblat Elephant Conservation Center (ECC), which use camp elephants and pawangs (Indonesian mahouts) to patrol Conservation Areas to monitor land use and forest crime, as well as the status of elephants, other wildlife and their habitats, and conduct local community public education activities. The ECC covers 26.5 square miles and is surrounded by large scale palm oil plantations and ex-logging concessions. The ECC has become an important reservoir for wildlife with an estimated 200-300 wild elephants as well as other wildlife including tiger, gibbon, tapir, rhino and birds and reptiles. Due to the rich biodiversity found in the Seblat ECC and the presence of captive elephants, it has potential to develop into an eco-tourism destination.