Trunks up: Indonesia ends elephant rides nationwide
MANILA, Philippines — The government of Indonesia has put an end to all elephant rides around the country, handing a major win for animal welfare and ethical wildlife tourism.
Efforts for the ban began when the Asia division of animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) launched an investigation into elephant rides in Bali, a major tourist spot, late last year.
According to PETA, any facility that allows direct interaction with elephants — whether through rides, bathing, feeding, or photo opportunities — endangers both the creatures and visitors.
The organization even called out several Bali locations that "claimed to care for elephants but instead exploit and abuse them."
PETA's investigations claimed elephants were found chained, scarred, and wounded, with some handlers striking the animals with bullhooks to force them to participate in tourist activities.
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The Indonesian Ministry of Forestry's Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation issued a circular calling for an end to elephant rides across all conservation and tourism facilities.
The Bali Zoo was among the locations that first complied with the directive, a move supported by the Southeast Asian Zoos and Aquariums Association.
More venues followed suit until Bali's Mason Elephant Park was the last location to end the activity.
Southeast Asian neighbors Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia still allow elephant rides, as well as other Asian countries like India and Nepal.
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