IPOH: Kelat, the Malaysian male elephant at Tennoji Zoo in Osaka, Japan, was temporarily separated from his companions Dara and Amoi after entering musth, a natural hormonal phase in adult male elephants.
Taiping Municipal Council president Mohamed Akmal Dahalan said the separation was a routine safety measure in line with standard zoological practice, and was not due to neglect or any deterioration in Kelat’s health.
He said Kelat showed typical behavioural changes during the musth period, including increased activity and a weight loss of about 220kg.
“This is consistent with reduced appetite and hormonal fluctuations commonly observed in male elephants during musth.
“Such temporary separation is necessary to ensure the safety of the animals, keepers and visitors, as elephants in musth may become more sensitive and display aggressive behaviour,” he said in a statement on Monday (June 15).
Mohamed Akmal said Dara and Amoi remained in good condition throughout the period, recording weight gains of 85kg and 60kg respectively compared with earlier readings in May, indicating stable health and adequate nutrition.
He said Kelat has since completed his musth phase and has been reunited with the two elephants.
“Monitoring by zoo staff shows that he has resumed normal behaviour and is interacting positively with both Dara and Amoi,” he added.
Mohamed Akmal also dismissed social media claims alleging that the elephants were not being adequately fed, saying daily diet records from Tennoji Zoo showed they were provided food based on species-specific nutritional requirements and individual health conditions.
He said the council continued to receive regular updates from the zoo covering the elephants’ health, behaviour and welfare indicators.
He added that all care decisions were guided by established international zoo standards and animal welfare protocols.
“The welfare of Dara, Amoi and Kelat remains the top priority under the Malaysia-Japan conservation cooperation programme,” he said.
Mohamed Akmal said the parliamentary special select committee on environment, science and plantation had also requested a copy of the elephant relocation agreement, which the council submitted on April 28 for review.
The elephants – Dara, 14, Amoi, nine, and Kelat, 20, collectively known as DAK – are at the centre of growing calls for their return to Malaysia from Tennoji Zoo over welfare concerns.
