Bali Encouraged To Stop Elephant Riding At Tourist Attractions

Bali authorities are encouraging tourism attractions to phase out elephant riding, citing animal welfare concerns and the need to support the survival of the endangered Sumatran elephant species. The move comes as awareness grows regarding ethical issues within the animal tourism sector.

Elephant Welfare Concerns

While Bali does not have a native wild elephant population, the province is currently home to 84 elephants residing in facilities under the jurisdiction of the Bali Province Conservation and Natural Resources Agency (BKSDA), including zoos and tourism parks.

The BKSDA is urging attractions to shift away from elephant riding, aiming to improve welfare standards and contribute to the species’ long-term survival. Ratna Hendratmoko, Head of the Bali BKSDA, emphasized the importance of “civilized” and respectful elephant management, stating they are “equally created by God.”

The Harmful Practices of Elephant Riding

Elephant riding is widely considered an abusive practice for captive elephants due to several factors. Elephants are often overworked, subjected to ill-fitting saddles causing injuries, and frequently controlled using bullhooks that inflict pain.

Furthermore, elephants in Bali are often kept on concrete surfaces, damaging their feet, and are routinely chained for extended periods, restricting natural movement. They also lack sufficient access to natural foraging, feeding, and enrichment activities.

Seeking Ethical Alternatives

Hendratmoko called on attraction managers to develop ethical, high-welfare tourism programs that prioritize the well-being of the elephants and provide engaging experiences for tourists. Examples of such programs exist in other Southeast Asian countries, such as Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand and Tiger Tops in Nepal.

Currently, no true elephant sanctuaries exist in Bali. Investigations by World Animal Protection found no ethical wildlife tourism facilities in Bali or Lombok, with assessments revealing that most venues do not even meet the basic needs of the animals in their care. The organization’s investigation assessed twenty-six animal tourism venues across Bali and Lombok, responsible for over 1,300 animals, including the BKSDA’s 84 elephants.

Suzanne Milthorpe, Head of Campaigns at World Animal Protection, stated, “What we found was no wildlife entertainment venue in Bali met good welfare standards for animals in captivity, and most didn’t even meet the basic needs.”

The BKSDA team will continue to provide technical guidance to the five facilities housing Bali’s elephants to improve welfare standards, with Hendratmoko expressing hope that the use of elephant riding will be gradually eliminated.