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On January 1, 2026, Bali Zoo formally stopped providing elephant rides following a brand new authorities directive and mounting stress from worldwide animal welfare organizations, together with World Animal Safety. The transfer displays rising recognition that elephant using is dangerous and hectic for these mild giants and indicators a shift towards extra moral wildlife tourism.Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry issued a nationwide directive requiring conservation facilities that handle elephants to finish elephant-riding actions, as a part of efforts to strengthen animal welfare requirements. The directive encourages amenities to shift towards academic and observation-based experiences that permit elephants to have interaction in pure behaviors slightly than carry out for leisure.The Bali Zoo is now emphasizing academic experiences, corresponding to observing elephants bathe, feed, and work together socially. By prioritizing commentary over rides, the zoo hopes to supply guests with significant encounters that respect the animals’ well-being.Elephant using is well known as bodily and mentally hectic for the animals. It typically entails dangerous coaching practices, together with using bullhooks, to coerce elephants into compliance. These strategies may cause harm, power stress, and behavioral points, whereas additionally proscribing elephants’ pure social behaviors.Ending elephant rides is a part of a broader effort to transition towards moral tourism that helps pure behaviors. In line with World Animal Safety, safari parks, together with TSI Bogor, TSI Prigen, and A’Famosa have taken comparable steps, indicating a rising industry-wide dedication to animal welfare.Prevents Abuse: Eliminates the necessity for harsh coaching strategies that may trigger bodily and psychological hurt.Promotes Pure Habits: Permits elephants to roam freely, socialize with different elephants, and have interaction in regular actions corresponding to bathing and foraging.Instructional Worth: Guests achieve a deeper understanding of elephant habits and conservation by way of respectful commentary slightly than dangerous interplay.Though this marks a historic step ahead for animal welfare, some amenities in Indonesia proceed to supply elephant rides. Advocates are calling for a complete, nationwide ban to make sure that all captive elephants are handled ethically. The shift displays a rising world motion towards tourism practices that prioritize animal welfare and foster sustainable, respectful interactions between people and animals.
On January 1, 2026, Bali Zoo formally stopped providing elephant rides following a brand new authorities directive and mounting stress from worldwide animal welfare organizations, together with World Animal Safety. The transfer displays rising recognition that elephant using is dangerous and hectic for these mild giants and indicators a shift towards extra moral wildlife tourism.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry issued a nationwide directive requiring conservation facilities that handle elephants to finish elephant-riding actions, as a part of efforts to strengthen animal welfare requirements. The directive encourages amenities to shift towards academic and observation-based experiences that permit elephants to have interaction in pure behaviors slightly than carry out for leisure.
The Bali Zoo is now emphasizing academic experiences, corresponding to observing elephants bathe, feed, and work together socially. By prioritizing commentary over rides, the zoo hopes to supply guests with significant encounters that respect the animals’ well-being.
Elephant using is well known as bodily and mentally hectic for the animals. It typically entails dangerous coaching practices, together with using bullhooks, to coerce elephants into compliance. These strategies may cause harm, power stress, and behavioral points, whereas additionally proscribing elephants’ pure social behaviors.
Ending elephant rides is a part of a broader effort to transition towards moral tourism that helps pure behaviors. In line with World Animal Safety, safari parks, together with TSI Bogor, TSI Prigen, and A’Famosa have taken comparable steps, indicating a rising industry-wide dedication to animal welfare.
Prevents Abuse: Eliminates the necessity for harsh coaching strategies that may trigger bodily and psychological hurt.
Promotes Pure Habits: Permits elephants to roam freely, socialize with different elephants, and have interaction in regular actions corresponding to bathing and foraging.
Instructional Worth: Guests achieve a deeper understanding of elephant habits and conservation by way of respectful commentary slightly than dangerous interplay.
Though this marks a historic step ahead for animal welfare, some amenities in Indonesia proceed to supply elephant rides. Advocates are calling for a complete, nationwide ban to make sure that all captive elephants are handled ethically. The shift displays a rising world motion towards tourism practices that prioritize animal welfare and foster sustainable, respectful interactions between people and animals.

