Becoming an ecological cyborg Sumatera elephant animator: creative storytelling practice in social media Instagram

Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus) are one of Indonesia’s most endangered species, facing rapid population decline due to deforestation, human–wildlife conflict, and illegal poaching. In West Sumatra, habitat fragmentation caused by palm oil plantations and infrastructure expansion has increasingly isolated elephant populations, leading to frequent encounters with local communities. This ecological crisis has inspired creative practitioners to raise awareness through digital storytelling. This study explores how an animator, through the lens of cyborg anthropology, becomes an “ecological cyborg,” a hybrid being that connects humans, technology, and nature to represent and advocate for Sumatran elephants on Instagram. The research employs a hybrid methodology, combining online and offline ethnography. Online research involves digital observation and content analysis of animation works shared on Instagram, focusing on visual narratives, audience interaction, and algorithmic engagement. Offline research includes semi-structured interviews with the animator and local conservation activists in West Sumatra to understand the contextual meaning and ecological motivations behind the artwork. This methodological combination allows an exploration of how digital media practices intertwine with real-world environmental advocacy. The results indicate that the animator’s creative process operates as an act of technological embodiment, where human intention and digital tools merge to reanimate ecological narratives. The storytelling of the Sumatran elephant on Instagram not only amplifies awareness but also reconstructs emotional connections between humans and nature through mediated experiences. This study concludes that creative digital practices can act as a form of ecological communication, blurring the boundaries between art, activism, and technology. The findings highlight the significance of viewing digital creators as ecological cyborgs who mediate environmental consciousness in the age of social media.