PUTRAJAYA: The three Malaysian elephants sent to Tennoji Zoo in Osaka, Japan, should be returned to the Taiping Zoo and Night Safari, said Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup (pic).
The elephants – Dara, Amoi and Kelat – are the subject of growing calls for relocation back to Malaysia amid welfare concerns.
These include claims that Japan’s climate is unsuitable and reports that Kelat has sustained injuries, according to a memorandum submitted to the ministry following a recent protest.
On April 24, a group of protesters gathered outside the ministry’s office to demand the elephants’ return, citing deteriorating conditions following their relocation last month.
The memorandum was submitted by about 20 individuals led by social activist Datuk Dr Kalai Vanar.
After reviewing the memorandum, Kurup stated that the ministry regards the proposal to return the elephants as a significant and reasonable option that serves the public interest.
He added that the memorandum has been forwarded to the Taiping Municipal Council, Taiping Zoo and Night Safari for further action.
“The arrangement involving the three elephants is directly between Taiping Zoo and Night Safari and Tennoji Zoo under a business-to-business agreement,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.
“The arrangement was decided by the previous administration and does not involve the ministry as a party to the contract.”
However, he said the ministry views the matter seriously, especially following viral images and videos that raised concerns over the elephants’ well-being.
Kurup said he met the Japanese ambassador on April 13 and raised the issue.
This was followed by a meeting with representatives from the Taiping Municipal Council and zoo management on April 21, at which the ministry called for clarification on the programme.
“Suggestions were given and follow-up actions requested but these have yet to be fulfilled,” he said.
He urged Taiping Zoo and Night Safari to immediately engage Tennoji Zoo to discuss the possibility and mechanism of bringing the elephants home.
“If the agreement is no longer aligned with conservation principles and animal welfare considerations, then the return of the elephants to their original habitat should be seriously considered by both parties,” he noted.
He said the next step is to assess the justification for keeping the elephants in Japan and if the reasons are insufficient, further discussions will follow.
He clarified that the government has no direct legal authority to compel Tennoji Zoo to return the elephants.
Any termination, he added, must be decided by the contracting parties, and the ministry has requested clarification on contract terms, including termination clauses and cost implications.
“There may be reimbursement issues involved, but these must be guided by the contract,” Kurup said.
From a conservation standpoint, he said the government is willing to look for funds, if required, to bring the elephants back.
Kalai Vanar also said that if approved, Malaysia could send a representative to Japan to assess the elephants’ welfare directly.
