KARUNA SHINSHO, ASIA TONIGHT: Wild elephants in Indonesia are under threat from poachers and illegal loggers. But a special patrol unit is trying to help fight the enemies of the endangered elephants.</s>BADRUN IFRAN, ELEPHANT PATROL UNIT (through translator): The elephant patrol unit is very effective to stop poaching and illegal logging because we can go to the location itself. We can easily confiscate and destroy the ill-gotten logs. We also feel much safer being on the elephants because many people are still afraid of them.</s>SINSHO: National park authorities say they're frustrated that they haven't been able to prosecute those behind the illegal logging, but they say the patrol unit is making a difference.</s>MIKE GRIFFITHS, LEUSER DEVELOPMENT PROJECT: When we started two years ago, there was logging right up the (inaudible) river. Now it is almost completely stopped, and a lot of that is due purely to the efforts of this unique elephant patrol unit. And in some sort of paradoxical way, we can say that the elephants here, the tame elephants are actually doing their bit to protect the wild elephants.</s>SHINSHO: It is no easy feat. The elephants and their handlers work long hours in oppressive heat in some of the world's toughest terrain. But it's all for a worthy cause, and after day of hard work the elephants can also look forward to reward - a cool bath and a good scrub.
Sumatra's Elephant Patrol Against Poaching And Illegal Logging