Bali Urged to End Elephant Riding at Tourist Attractions to Improve Animal Welfare
As awareness about animal welfare grows among travelers worldwide, Bali’s tourism sector is facing increased calls to reevaluate its treatment of captive elephants. The Bali Province Conservation and Natural Resources Agency (BKSDA) has recently urged tourism operators to stop offering elephant rides, advocating for more humane and ethical practices aimed at protecting these majestic animals.
Critical Concerns Over Elephant Riding in Bali
While elephants have never been native to Bali, the island is currently home to 84 elephants under BKSDA supervision, housed in various zoos and tourism parks. Many of these facilities have been criticized for inadequate animal welfare standards. Elephant riding, in particular, has drawn significant scrutiny as one of the most harmful tourist activities for captive elephants.
BKSDA Head Ratna Hendratmoko emphasized the need for respectful and compassionate management of elephants, stating, “Elephant management must be civilized, respectful because they are animals, equally created by God.” Hendratmoko further called on the public and tourists to support ethical elephant tourism by avoiding activities that cause physical and psychological harm to the animals.
Problems associated with elephant riding include the overworking of elephants, often making them provide continuous rides without adequate rest. Ill-fitting saddles can cause painful sores and spinal injuries, while the frequent use of bullhooks—a tool meant only for emergencies—can inflict harm on elephants’ ears and heads. Additionally, many elephants are kept on hard surfaces like concrete and are chained for long hours, restricting their natural movement and access to foraging and enrichment.
Towards Ethical and Sustainable Elephant Tourism
The BKSDA is encouraging elephant tourism operators in Bali to shift towards programs that prioritize high welfare standards. Unlike Bali, some Southeast Asian countries have developed ethical elephant sanctuaries that do not allow riding and provide more natural living conditions. For example, Thailand’s Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary and Nepal’s Tiger Tops hotel offer chain-free environments where elephants live in a more natural state.
Hendratmoko conveyed hope that, over time, elephant riding in Bali will be gradually phased out. The BKSDA will continue to work closely with the five facilities housing Bali’s elephants to raise care standards and promote more humane tourism experiences.
No Ethical Wildlife Attractions Found in Recent Investigations
An undercover investigation conducted in 2023 by the animal welfare NGO World Animal Protection found that none of Bali’s wildlife tourism venues met acceptable welfare standards. The assessment, covering 26 attractions across Bali and Lombok—home to over 1,300 animals including the BKSDA’s elephants—revealed that most failed to meet even basic needs.
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.” Key elephant tourism venues like Mason Elephant Lodge, Bali Zoo, and Bali Safari Marine Park were among those evaluated.
Looking Forward
The call from BKSDA and animal welfare groups reflects a growing global shift toward responsible and ethical tourism practices that prioritize animal well-being. For Bali, a top international tourist destination, adopting these changes is crucial not only for the survival and welfare of the elephants but also for maintaining the island’s reputation as a compassionate and eco-conscious travel destination.
Tourists visiting Bali are encouraged to support only venues that demonstrate ethical treatment of animals and avoid activities such as elephant riding that contribute to animal suffering. Continued efforts by conservation authorities and NGOs aim to transform Bali’s wildlife tourism into a model that respects and protects the lives of its majestic elephant residents.
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