FILE PHOTO: Tourists watch as Sumatran elephants parade in an event to commemorate Independence Day at Taman Safari Indonesia in Cisarua, Bogor regency, West Java, on Aug. 16, 2025. - Antara via The Jakarta Post/ANN
JAKARTA: Operators of conservation sites have expressed concerns over the government’s recent ban on elephant rides at zoos and conservation centres across the country, warning that poorly implemented restrictions could harm the welfare of the critically endangered animals.
Sugiyo, landscape manager at Taman Nasional Way Kambas (TNWK) in Lampung, said the policy would disrupt elephants’ daily routines and sharply reduce human interaction, increasing the risk of stress and boredom.
“These elephants are accustomed to interacting with humans. Managers must now provide alternative stimulation to prevent stress and shift care from work-based activities to more natural behaviour,” he said, as quoted by Pikiranrakyat.com.
Sugiyo added that operators would also need to allocate more land to allow elephants to roam and interact with other elephants after ride activities end to keep them entertained.
Sugiyo said elephant rides require intensive training by mahouts, adding that without such programmes, training sessions could decline, raising concerns over safety risks and potential aggression among elephants, particularly in conservation centres with limited space and activities.
He added that the ban could also reduce revenues for conservation sites and zoos, many of which still rely on paid elephant rides to fund their operations.
“We must look for other creative and sustainable business models to support our operations,” he said.
Previously, Bali’s Mason Elephant Park said it could lose around 50 per cent of its income following the government’s ban on elephant riding, raising concerns over animal welfare at the facility.
In December last year, the Forestry Ministry issued a circular banning elephant rides at all conservation sites and zoos nationwide, citing animal welfare issues, effective starting 2026.
The circular states that elephant riding, whether for commercial or non-commercial purposes, is no longer consistent with principles of animal protection, ethics and welfare.
Asian elephants are classified as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, requiring that any form of use be carried out with extreme caution and responsibility.
The ministry noted that elephants’ spines are designed to bear pulling loads rather than vertical weight, making them vulnerable to permanent injury.
Carrying loads such as tourist seats can cause inflammation and spinal deformities, including lordosis, prompting the prohibition on rides.
The ministry encourages conservation centres and zoos to shift toward education on natural elephant behaviour and wildlife observation without direct physical contact.
The circular states that limited use of elephants, including riding, may still be permitted for conservation patrols, mitigation of human-elephant conflict, mahout-led care, disaster response and environmental conservation activities, subject to approval by the forestry minister.
Tony Sumampau, secretary-general of the Indonesian Zoo Association (PKBSI) and a commissioner at Taman Safari Indonesia in Bogor, West Java, urged the government to consult conservation operators before issuing regulations, warning that a lack of coordination could harm animal welfare.
“We have never opposed government regulations. However, we hope to be consulted before decisions are taken,” he said, adding that the association plans to formally raise its concerns with the government in the near future.
Government data from 2016 showed that 1,322 elephants were living in conservation centres and zoos across the country, with a similar number in the wild. No more recent data was available. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
