Natural resources minister says proposals to return elephants Dara, Amoi and Kelat from Osaka zoo must be seriously considered amid public concern over their welfare.
PUTRAJAYA: Proposals by various parties, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), to bring home three Malaysian elephants – Dara, Amoi and Kelat – should be given serious consideration, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said.
The three elephants were previously transferred to Tennoji Zoo in Osaka, Japan under a conservation collaboration, a move that has recently drawn public concern over their welfare.
He said if the implementation of the transfer agreement involving the three elephants is found to be no longer aligned with conservation principles, animal welfare and current sensitivities, there is a need to return them to their natural habitat.
After reviewing the memorandum submitted, the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) is, in principle, of the view that the proposal to bring the three elephants home should be seriously considered, taking into account public interest and current sensitivities.
“In this regard, I strongly urge the management of Zoo Taiping & Night Safari (ZTNS) to initiate discussions with Tennoji Zoo Osaka in Japan to assess the requirements and mechanism for bringing the elephants back, as they are the parties with contractual obligations,” he told a press conference on the issue here today.
Arthur said that on the basis of conservation and national interest, NRES is prepared to consider the need for funding, if required, to facilitate the repatriation of the elephants as part of efforts to preserve the nation’s natural heritage.
“Although the previous administration made the decision, as the minister holding the mandate today, I will not compromise on issues concerning wildlife welfare,” he said.
He said NRES takes seriously the welfare concerns involving the three elephants following videos and images circulating on social media that have drawn widespread public attention.
He added that he had met with Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata on April 13, as well as Taiping Municipal Council president Mohamed Akmal Dahalan and ZTNS management on April 21, to obtain further clarification on the elephant conservation programme between ZTNS and Tennoji Zoo.
“During the meeting, we put forward several proposals and requested that certain actions be taken and explanations provided publicly, but to date, those requests have yet to be fulfilled by both parties,” he said.
Arthur said that based on records from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) and cross-checks with ZTNS, the collaboration between the two zoos was formalised through agreements dated May 19, 2022 and Oct 6, 2022.
“The ministry is not a signatory to these agreements. The transfer of the three elephants was agreed directly between ZTNS and Tennoji Zoo Osaka on a business-to-business (B2B) basis,” he said.
