ABSTRAK Penelitian tentang Keberadaan gajah sumatera (Elephasmaximussumatranus) telah dilakukan di hutan Beutong, Kawasan Ekosistem Leuser (KEL), mulai Juli 2017 hingga Juni 2018. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui keberadaan gajah sumatera (Elephasmaximussumatranus) di kawasan hutan Beutong, Nagan Raya, Kawasan Ekosistem Leuser. Pengambilan data dilakukan dengan metode survey eksplorasi pada transek di kawasan hutan yang dibagi menjadi 28 grid, dengan masing-masing grid berukuran 4 km2. Parameter yang didata adalah jejak yang ditinggalkan gajah sumatera berupa jejak kaki, bekas gesekan badan, bekas gesekan gading, kotoran, bangkai dan bekas kubangan. Data yang diperoleh dianalisis secara deskriptif dan ditampilkan dalam bentu ktabel dan gambar. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa di hutan Beutong Kawasan Ekosistem Leuser ditemukan satu kubangan tua yang diperkirakan merupakan kubangan gajah sumatera. Tanda-tanda jejak keberadaan gajah sumatera lainnya tidak ditemukan selama penelitian dilakukan. Hutan Beutong yang saat ini sudah dieksploitasi untuk berbagai aktifitas manusia, diduga menjadi salah satu penyebab tidak ditemukannya lagi kawanan gajah liar di kawasan tersebut. Hutan Beutong memiliki kondisi lingkungan dengan rata-rata intensitas cahaya pagi 747.3 Lux, siang 1019.9 Lux, sore 618.8 Lux. Suhu rata-rata di kawasan hutan ini pada waktu pagi 21.260C, siang 22.850C, sore/malam 20.840C. Kelembapan rata-rata pada pagi hari adalah 94.46%, siang 94.15%, dan sore/malam 97.92%. Kata Kunci: Gajah Sumatera, Beutong, Kawasan Ekosistem Leuser (KEL). ABSTRACT Research on the Existence of Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus) has been carried out in Beutong forest, Leuser Ecosystem Area (KEL), from July 2017 to June 2018. This study aims to detect the existence of Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus) in the Beutong forest area, Nagan Raya, Leuser Ecosystem. Data retrieval is done by the exploration survey method on transects in forest areas which are divided into 28 grids, with each grid measuring 4 km2. The parameters that were recorded were the traces left by the Sumatran elephant in the form of footprints, body scraping marks, ivory scrapes, dirt, carcasses and former puddles. The data obtained were analyzed descriptively and displayed in tables and figures. The results showed that in the Beutong forest, the Leuser Ecosystem was found in an old puddle which is estimated to be a Sumatran elephant puddle. The signs of the presence of other Sumatran elephants were not found during the study. The Beutong Forest, which is currently being exploited for various human activities, is thought to be one of the causes of the absence of wild herds of elephants in the area. Beutong forest has environmental conditions with an average intensity of morning light 747.3 Lux, noon 1019.9 Lux, afternoon 618.8 Lux. The average temperature in this forest area is 21.260C, noon 22.850C, evening 20.840C. The average humidity in the morning was 94.46%, afternoon 94.15%, and evening 97.92%. Keywords: Sumatran Elephant, Beutong, Leuser Ecosystem Area (KEL).