The protected animal was evacuated on Monday, September 21, 2026, by the Bengkulu Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), together with local authorities, police, the plantation company and surrounding communities. According to an official statement obtained by from BKSDA Bengkulu, the tapir was first spotted by PT PAL workers on Sunday morning at around 8 a.m. The animal was moving through an area dominated by oil palms, rubber trees and shrubs. By around 2 p.m., the tapir had fallen into a drainage canal and was unable to climb out on its own. The rescue operation was subsequently carried out with consideration for the animal’s health and welfare. BKSDA Bengkulu Head Agung Nugroho said the tapir was still undergoing observation to monitor its health, behavior and injuries. An initial examination found the animal had suffered mild stress and several minor abrasions on its legs, neck, back, abdomen and mouth. No signs of broken bones were found, and the tapir was able to walk after being rescued. The animal was given vitamins and wound treatment before being temporarily transferred to the Mesuji Conservation Park for further care. It was placed in an enclosure covering approximately 2,000 square meters. The discovery site was located about 800 meters from the Terbanggi Besar–Pematang Panggang–Kayu Agung toll road, making the animal’s movement toward the road another consideration in the rescue and subsequent handling. BKSDA Bengkulu said any decision regarding a possible release into the wild would depend on further health assessments and an evaluation of the suitability of the destination. The Sumatran tapir is a protected species in Indonesia and is also listed under CITES Appendix I.