Sumatran Elephant
While living in Singapore, I became aware of the critical situation in Sumatra, where Sumatran elephants
were on the brink of extinction. At the time, I was actively working with international fashion magazines.
I had the idea to place these elephants at the heart of my story, using my platform to raise awareness
among European readers about their plight and the urgent need for action. Through this creative
approach, I hoped to sensitize a broader audience to the importance of conservation efforts.
Facts
The greatest threats to Sumatran elephants are habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation; illegal
killing (e.g., for their ivory and other products or in retaliation for human-elephant conflicts); and the
loss of genetic viability due to small population sizes and isolation.
In 2012, the Sumatran elephant’s status was changed from Endangered to Critically Endangered,
as half of its population had been lost within a single generation—a decline largely
driven by habitat destruction and resulting human-elephant conflicts.
Photograph Taken
This photograph was taken at the Way Kambas Elephant Sanctuary in Sumatra, home to around
250 majestic elephants. Each day, before heading out to graze, the elephants must cross a shallow
riverbed beneath a wooden bridge.
Moments before capturing this shot, each elephant had a tamer sitting on its back, guiding the herd.
To achieve the perfect composition, one tamer assisted in positioning the model, carefully moving her
from one elephant to another. On my signal, all the tamers quickly dismounted and disappeared to
the sides of the herd, creating a stunningly natural and uninterrupted scene.
After capturing an entire roll of film, the tamers rushed back to ensure the model’s safety, making
sure she didn’t slip or fall amidst the moving elephants. This photograph is an untouched, analog
shot, preserving the raw beauty and intensity of the moment.
Sumatran Elephant
Way Kambas, Sumatra, Indonesia
1999/2025
100 x 80 cm
Fuji C-Print
