Activists urge government to repatriate elephants from Japan

Animal welfare activists gathered outside the Parliament building yesterday to call for the immediate return of three Malaysian elephants currently housed at a zoo in Japan under a 25-year loan agreement.

The peaceful protest, organised by Pertubuhan Ihsan Haiwan Malaysia (Malaysian Animal Welfare Organization), saw participants dressed in black carrying large elephant cutouts as they sought to draw lawmakers’ attention to the “Kembalikan DAK” (Return DAK) campaign.

The campaign centres on three elephants — Dara, 14, Amoi, 9, and Kelat, 20 — whose initials form the acronym “DAK”. The animals were transferred from Taiping Zoo & Night Safari to Tennoji Zoo in Osaka in 2022 under a business-to-business arrangement overseen by the Taiping Municipal Council (MPT).

Subang Member of Parliament Wong Chen joined the gathering, expressing support for the activists’ call for government intervention.

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Public concern over the elephants’ welfare intensified after videos and photographs of the animals at the Osaka zoo circulated widely on social media. Animal welfare advocates argue that Japan’s temperate climate and urban zoo environment are unsuitable for elephants native to Malaysia’s tropical ecosystems.

The activists have maintained that conservation and long-term welfare efforts should prioritise keeping wildlife within their natural habitats whenever possible.

MPT, however, has defended the arrangement, citing data indicating that the elephants have experienced consistent weight gain since their relocation. Supporters of the agreement have argued that such indicators suggest the animals are receiving adequate care.

The issue has also drawn attention at the federal level. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) clarified that it was not a party to the 2022 agreement, which was concluded under a previous administration.

Nevertheless, NRES Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the government is taking the concerns seriously. He urged MPT to begin discussions with Osaka authorities on a possible review of the arrangement and stated that the ministry is prepared to cover repatriation costs should an agreement be reached.

With growing public attention and parliamentary interest, activists are hoping the campaign will lead to formal efforts to secure the elephants’ return to Malaysia.