THIS is an old story. Happened was nine years ago. But, because it almost claimed lives, the incident is still remembered until now.

Friday, December 17, 2009. Based on my friend's information, that day, I - @musyawirwaspada and Jafaruddin Yusuf - @jaff agreed to find traces of wild elephants, in the Blang Pantee forest, Payabakong Subdistrict, the hinterland of North Aceh.

At that time, we both were new reporters. I just worked for about 1.5 years at Waspada, and @jaff just worked about 1 year worked at Serambi Indonesia. Our coverage area is North Aceh.

At that time, we were young. The spirit of looking for news is still smoldering. Whatever the reports from the public, enter via mobile phone (HP), we follow up directly down to the Place Genesis Case.

For us, which is still sprouts in journalistic world, exclusive is the first target. No doubt, once we hear there is a herd of wild elephants hiding in the forest Payabakong, we immediately agreed to look for it. In fact, before, we have never dealt with elephants, let alone wild elephants.

We arrived at Blang Pantee Village around 12.00. Sunny weather. However, heavy rain throughout the night still leaves puddles in the ground and holes. This is normal because December. Our motorcycles left temporarily in the homes of the people, as the roads lead to elephant hide forest, some still paths, and the rest of the path of rats and pigs.

We went fifth. Our friend, Bang Abdullah Parang Sikureung and two friends Bang Abdullah from Payabakong; Bang Yusuf and Bang Leman. Bang Leman is a Deer Handler. He is kind enough to be a free guide for us.

I myself hesitated to go straight into the forest. For, just a few minutes more calls for Friday prayers. In my opinion, it would be better to Pray Friday first, then just entered the forest. Unfortunately, less than a minute later, the mind suddenly changes. The ambition to get an exclusive elephant photo made Satan have no need to spend much time persuading me and my friends to leave Prayer on Friday.

"Brother, We're musafir (traveler). Not mandatory to Pray Friday. Whjat we doing now is a worship too, because helping farmers to not be disturbed by wild elephants again, "said @ jaff as if helping alibi and devil mission. Ha ha..

"I am not a Musafir, Far. But, Musyawir, "I said with a laugh.

This rebuttal is actually just a pleasantries and sweeteners only. Satanic seductions plus the desire to immediately present the exclusive news in the media, made us completely deceived. And, finally, the five of us agreed not to pray Friday to find a herd of wild elephants in the wild.

The journey in the first twenty minutes, mediocre. The path, but not too muddy. Slippers and shoes can still be worn. We walked cheerfully while joking. On the way, we had several times encountered some mothers and young children who were coming home from the garden.

As comer, I and @jaff of course say hello with smile to them. The mothers and children were greeted us kindly. But, on the other hand, I myself again upset. Chest feels heavy. I thought; The children and the mothers go home early from the garden because Pray Friday. We boys are baligh, just entered the forest.

But, yes that was, lust and seduction syaitan is hard to rejected when it both was collaborated. When the heart wants to return, syaitanirrajim and lust, hastily whisper; its location not far more away, boss. And, the ending, the trip was continued again as planned.

Not long time later, we began to find footprints of elephant herds, as well as some banana trees that were devastated by them. We took some photos at this location, then continue into the forest again.

After this, the terrain we went through was getting heavier. Sandals and shoes are forced to carry. Pants should also be raised higher. We had to wade through the muddy road to knee-deep, almost an hour.

Bang Leman, who is the deer handler, walked casually as usual. Not a tired look on his face. Maybe, because Bang Leman is used to chasing deers in the wilds. While we, especially me and @ jaff, had been fully tired and intermittently ask to stop.

Good fortune, after walking about 1.5 hours, we found a river whose water penetrates to the ground. Like a traveler who has been thirsty for days lost in the desert, I immediately plunged into the shallow river. The water is very cold. And because our mineral water stock is runs out on the way, we also drink river water to quench thirst. Even, bottles of mineral water that has been empty, we fill with river water, stock for the next adventure trip.

"Nyoe hana jioeh lee. Nyan bak Bukeet yang deuh nyan: It's not far anymore. Our destination to that hill, " said Bang Leman, while pointing toward a hill, across the river.

After rest about 15 minutes, we directly cross the river. We passed a lot of traces of elephants, including the droppings, as well as some crops cocoa dan bananas that had been uprooted, or the bark were peeling off eating by elephants.

So far, we've been walking for about two hours.

Had arrived? Not yet Boss. The hill that looks close from across the river, it must be taken about two hours by foot. The path we went through was still extreme. Even, more extreme than ever. Sometimes Bang Leman who walked in front, had to cut down bush first, so we could pass. We also passed the swamp weedland, which is said to be the nest of giant python snakes.

Alhamdulillah, we passed the danger zone safely. And, at around 16:00, we were at the top of a hill that was supposed hiding place to be of wild elephants. We were greeted with drizzling rain. And, upon arrival here, Bang Leman immediately asked us to split up, with consideration, the position elephant herd not yet known its surely.

"If at any time the elephants attack, other friends are still chance to provide assistance. If we all are at one point, if there is an attack, we all die. The elephant is an ingenious animal. They can also surrounded us, as soldiers surrounded the enemy, "said Bang Leman.

My body, which had shaking with exhaustion and had not eaten lunch, was shivering after hearing Bang Leman's referals. So is @jaff. Her face began to pale with exhaustion. Understandably, we walked through the forest is almost four hours, and the lunch period has passed about two hours.

We are really tired. However, for the sake of the initial mission, we remain desperate to see elephants from close range, to be photographed. We thought it would be worth the tiring journey. And we are very lose if we had to go back without a photo.

At that time, I still use pocket camera. So is @jaff. Me and @jaff are only about ten meters adrift. The sounds of kletak-klutuk like the sound of an elephant break the tree, faint sounding in the ear. We began to sneak around, trying to make sure of his position. My heart was beating fast. But, the camera with the position On, remain standby in hand.

Seconds later, I and @jaff saw three elephants behind a tree. One of them is big, and the other two are small. We suspect, it's a female elephant and two her child. Their distance with us is about twenty meters.

With a thumping heart and trembling hands, I crept closer because the camera zoom was not adequate. Approximately ten meters away, I rushed to take some photos. I tried with some modes, because I was worried the image is blurred. Lastly, I tried it with automatic mode. Apparently, because the atmosphere was drizzling and dark, the flash of the camera was on and it surprised the elephant.

The biggest elephant suddenly trampling the ground while lifting the trunk and roaring, then ran towards me and @ jaff. We ran away to save ourselves. Sadly, as I ran, I tripped over the roots of a tree, then fell and almost impaled with a pointed piece of wood, and almost thrown into the abyss, on the hillside. I had time to roll over until finally snagged in a wooden shrub.

I recorded this picture while running to save myself

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Fortunately, after that, the elephant is no longer chasing us. However, his eyes continued to watch and occasionally remained wailing while stomping his feet to the earth. At that time, my heart beat faster. I thought, it was my last day. Even, because so panic, I also had time to talk to the elephant, apologized at once asked not to be harmed because our goal came not to disturb her habitats.

Either because of my words or not, a moment later, the elephant turned his back to us, then left. Me and @jaff then walk with knees trembling, looking for the position of Bang Abdullah, Bang Yusuf and Bang Leman. Not long time later, we met, then went home with feeling traumatized. We arrived at the settlement after sunset.

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BAHASA INDONESIA

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Menyabung Nyawa Demi Selembar Foto Gajah

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INI kisah lama. Terjadi sembilan tahun silam. Tapi, karena nyawa nyaris melayang, kenangan ini masih teringang hingga sekarang.

Jumat 17 Desember 2009. Berdasarkan informasi seorang teman, hari itu, saya --@musyawirwaspada dan Jafaruddin
Yusuf -- @jaff sepakat mencari jejak gajah liar, di hutan Desa Blang Pantee, Kecamatan Payabakong, pedalaman Aceh Utara.

Waktu itu, kami sama-sama baru menjadi wartawan. Saya baru sekitar 1,5 tahun mengabdi di Harian Waspada, dan @jaff baru sekitar 1 tahun bekerja di Harian Serambi Indonesia. Kami, masih sama-sama bertugas di wilayah Aceh Utara.

Saat itu, usia kami juga relatif masih muda. Semangat juang mencari berita masih menggelora. Apapun laporan masyarakat yang masuk ke Handphone (HP), pasti kami tindaklanjuti dengan meluncur langsung ke TeKaPe ( Tempat Kejadian Perkara).

Bagi kami, yang saat itu masih seumur tauge di dunia jurnalistik, eklusif adalah nomor wahid. Tak ayal, begitu mendapat kabar ada kawanan gajah liar bersembunyi di hutan Payabakong, kami langsung sepakat mencarinya. Padahal, sebelumnya, kami belum pernah berurusan dengan gajah, apalagi gajah liar.

Kami tiba di Desa Blang Pantee, sekira pukul 12:00. Cuaca siang itu cerah. Namun, hujan lebat sepanjang malam masih menyisakan genangan air di tanah dan lubang jalan. Ini lumrah karena bulan Desember. Sepedamotor kami titip di rumah warga, karena jalan menuju hutan yang diduga menjadi tempat persembunyian gajah, sebagian masih jalan setapak, dan sisanya jalur tikus dan jalan babi.

Kami pergi berlima. Kawan kami, Bang Abdullah Parang Sikureung dan dua kawan Bang Abdullah asal Payabakong; Bang Yusuf dan Bang Leman. Bang Leman adalah Pawang Rusa. Dia berbaik hati mau menjadi pemandu gratis untuk kami.

Saya dan Bang Leman Pawang Rusa

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Saya sendiri sempat ragu-ragu untuk langsung masuk hutan. Sebab, hanya beberapa menit lagi azan Jumat berkumandang. Saya pikir, akan lebih baik Shalat Jumat dulu, baru menyusuri hutan. Sayangnya, tak sampai semenit kemudian, pikiran mendadak berubah. Ambisi untuk dapat gambar gajah eklusif, membuat syaitan tidak perlu mengeluarkan banyak jurus untuk merayu saya dan kawan-kawan agar tidak pergi Jumat.

“Kita musafir Bang. Tidak wajib jumat. Lagian, ini kan ibadah juga, membantu petani agar tidak diganggu gajah liar lagi,” kata @jaff seolah membantu alibi dan misi syaitan. Haha..

“ Saya bukan Musafir, Far. Tapi, Musyawir,” sahut saya sambil tertawa.

Bantahan ini pun sesungguhnya sekedar basa-basi dan pemanis saja. Rayuan syaitan plus nafsu untuk segera menyajikan berita eklusif di media, membuat kami benar-benar terpedaya. Dan, akhirnya, kami berlima sepakat tidak shalat Jumat demi mencari kawanan gajah liar di belantara.

Perjalanan di dua puluh menit pertama, biasa-biasa saja. Jalan setapak, tapi tidak terlalu becek. Sandal dan sepatu masih bisa dikenakan. Kami berjalan dengan ceria sambil bercanda. Di jalan, kami sempat beberapa kali berpapasan dengan beberapa ibu-ibu dan anak-anak belia yang sedang pulang dari kebun.

Sebagai pendatang, saya dan @jaff tentu saja menyapa sembari mengumbar senyum. Ibu-ibu dan anak-anak itu pun membalas sapa kami dengan ramah. Tapi, di sisi lain, saya sendiri kembali gundah. Dada rasanya berat. Saya membatin; Anak-anak dan ibu-ibu itu pulang lebih awal dari kebun karena hari Jumat, kami yang laki-laki baligh, malah baru mau masuk ke hutan.

Tapi, ya itu tadi, nafsu dan rayuan syaitan susah ditolak kalau sudah berkolaborasi. Ketika hati ingin kembali, syaitanirrajim bersama nafsu, buru-buru berbisik; lokasinya tidak jauh lagi, bos. Dan, buntutnya, perjalanan pun dilanjutkan lagi sesuai rencana.

Tak lama berselang, kami mulai menemukan jejak kaki kawanan gajah, serta beberapa pohon pisang yang hancur dimakan oleh mereka. Kami mengambil beberapa foto di lokasi ini, lalu lanjut masuk hutan lagi.

Setelah ini, medan yang kami lalui semakin berat. Sandal dan sepatu terpaksa ditenteng. Celana juga mesti disingsingkan lebih tinggi lagi. Kami harus mengarungi jalan berlumpur hingga setinggi lutut, hampir satu jam lamanya.

Bang Leman, yang pawang rusa, berjalan santai seperti biasa. Tak sedikitpun terlihat tanda lelah di wajahnya. Mungkin, karena Bang Leman sudah terbiasa kejar-kejaran dengan rusa di belantara. Sementara kami, terutama saya dan @jaff, sudah sejak tadi ngos-ngosan dan sebentar-bentar minta berhenti.

Nasib baik, setelah berjalan kaki sekitar 1,5 jam, kami menemukan sebuah sungai yang airnya tembus ke tanah. Ibarat musafir yang sudah berhari-hari kehausan karena tersesat di padang pasir, saya langsung menceburkan diri ke sungai dangkal itu. Airnya dingin sekali. Dan karena stok air mineral kami sudah habis dalam perjalanan, air sungai ini juga kami minum untuk melepas dahaga. Bahkan, botol air mineral yang sudah kosong, juga kami isi dengan air sungai, sebagai bekal untuk trip petualangan berikutnya.

“Nyoe hana jioeh lee. Nyan bak Bukeet yang deuh nyan: Ini sudah tidak jauh lagi. Tujuan kita ke bukit itu,” kata Bang Leman, sambil menunjuk ke arah sebuah bukit, di seberang sungai.

Usai besristirahat sekitar 15 menit, kami langsung menyeberangi sungai. Kami melewati banyak sekali jejak gajah, termasuk kotorannya, serta beberapa tanaman kakao yang sudah tercabut, atau batangnya terkelupas dikuliti gajah.

Sejauh ini, kami sudah jalan kaki sekitar dua jam.

Sudah sampai? Belum Bos. Bukit yang kelihatan dekat dari seberang sungai, rupanya mesti ditempuh sekitar dua jam lagi dengan jalan kaki. Jalur yang kami lalui masih ekstrim. Bahkan, lebih ekstrim dari sebelumnya. Bahkan, adalakanya, Bang Leman yang berjalan di depan, mesti menebang dulu semak belukar agar kami bisa lewat. Kami juga melewati lautan ilalang rawa, yang konon jadi sarang ular phyton raksasa.

Alhamdulillah, kami melewati zona bahaya itu dengan selamat. Dan, sekitar pukul 16:00, kami sudah berada di puncak bukit yang diduga menjadi tempat persembunyian kawanan gajah liar. Kami disambut hujan gerimis. Dan, setiba di sini, Bang Leman langsung meminta kami berpencar, dengan pertimbangan, kawanan gajah belum diketahui posisinya secara pasti.

“Kalau sewaktu-waktu gajah menyerang, kawan lain masih berpeluang memberi bantuan. Kalau kita semua berada di satu titik, jika ada serangan, habis kita semua. Gajah itu hewan cerdik. Mereka juga bisa mengepung kita, seperti tentara mengepung musuh,” tegas Bang Leman.

Tubuh saya yang sudah mulai gemetar karena lelah dan belum makan siang, makin menggigil setelah mendengar arahan Bang Leman. Begitu juga @jaff. Wajahnya mulai pucat kelelahan. Maklum, kami berjalan kaki menyusuri hutan sudah hampir empat jam, dan masa makan siang sudah lewat sekitar dua jam.

Kami betul-betul lelah bercampur was-was. Namun, demi misi awal, kami tetap nekat melihat gajah dari jarak dekat, untuk difoto. Kami pikir, akan sangat sia-sia perjalanan yang melelahkan tadi, jika harus kembali tanpa selembar foto.

Saat itu, saya masih pakai kamera poket. Begitu juga @jaff. Saya dan @jaff hanya terpaut sekitar sepuluh meter. Suara kletak-klutuk seperti suara gajah mematahkan pohon, lamat-lamat terdengar di telinga. Kami mulai mengendap-ngendap, mencoba memastikan posisinya. Jantung saya berdetak kencang. Tapi, kamera dengan posisi On, tetap standby di tangan.

Tak lama kemudian, saya dan @jaff melihat tiga ekor gajah di balik pohon. Seekor agak besar, dan dua lagi masih kecil. Kami menduga, itu gajah betina dan dua anaknya. Jarak mereka dengan kami sekitar dua puluh meter.

Dengan jantung berdebar dan tangan gemetar, saya nekat merayap lebih dekat karena zoom kamera tidak memadai. Kira-kira terpaut sepuluh meter lagi, langsung saya foto. Saya mencoba dengan beberapa mode, karena khawatir hasil fotonya kabur. Terakhir, saya mencoba dengan mode otomatis. Rupanya, karena suasana sedang gerimis dan gelap, lampu flash kamera menyala dan itu mengejutkan sang induk gajah.

Foto ini saya ambil sambil lari menyelamatkan diri

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Gajah yang paling besar mendadak menghentak-hentakkan kaki sembari mengangkat belalai dan meraung-raung, lalu berlari ke arah saya dan @jaff. Kami buru-buru lari menyelamatkan diri. Apes, saat berlari itu, saya kesandung akar pohon, lalu jatuh dan nyaris tertikam potongan kayu yang lancip, serta hampir terlempar ke jurang, di lereng bukit. Saya sempat terguling-guling hingga akhirnya tertahan di sebuah perdu kayu.

Syukurnya, setelah itu, gajah tersebut tidak lagi mengejar kami. Namun, matanya terus mengawasi dan sesekali tetap meraung-raung sembari menghentakkan kaki ke bumi. Saat itu, jantung saya berdetak makin kencang. Saya sempat berpikir, itu hari terakhir saya. Bahkan, saking paniknya, saya juga sempat berbicara dengan gajah tersebut, meminta maaf sekaligus minta tidak dicelakai karena tujuan kami datang bukan untuk mengganggu.

Entah karena kata-kata saya itu atau bukan, sesaat kemudian, gajah itu membelakangi kami, lalu pergi. Saya dan @jaff kemudian berjalan gontai dengan lutut gemetar, mencari posisi Bang Abdullah, Bang Yusuf dan Bang Leman. Tak lama kemudian, kami bertemu dan langsung pulang dengan perasaan trauma. Kami tiba di perkampungan setelah magrib.

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Referensi:

• https://web.facebook.com/musyawir.waspada/media_set?set=a.10207253849165572.1073741848.1264520361&type=3
• https://issuu.com/waspada/docs/waspada

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Terimakasih Telah Berkunjung dan Melihat serta Membaca Pos ini . Salam Hormat
Thank You For Visited and reading this post. Best Regards
@musyawirwaspada