Global petition calls for return of Malaysian elephants from Osaka

A coalition of conservationists, wildlife advocates, legal experts and concerned citizens has launched PROJEK PULANG #SaveDAK, a global campaign calling for the return of three endangered Malaysian elephants — Dara, Amoi and Kelat (DAK) — from Japan’s Tennoji Zoo in Osaka to the National Elephant Conservation Centre (NECC) Kuala Gandah in Pahang.

The movement, spearheaded by Projek Pulang Global, is demanding a review of a 25-year conservation transfer agreement that saw the elephants relocated from Malaysia to Japan on March 10, 2026. Campaigners argue the transfer raises serious concerns involving animal welfare, transparency, legal jurisdiction and international conservation standards.

The issue has triggered growing international attention, with organisers claiming more than 161,000 people worldwide have signed online petitions calling for the elephants’ return and for investigations into the transfer process.

Public concern intensified following reports circulating on social media alleging Kelat suffered a broken tusk and eye infection while displaying repetitive stress-related behaviour associated with “zoochosis”, a condition commonly linked to prolonged captivity.

Animal welfare advocates contend that Tennoji Zoo’s approximately 4,700-square-metre enclosure is inadequate for elephants accustomed to vast rainforest habitats and sanctuary environments in Malaysia.

“We fully support the Menteri Besar of Pahang’s call for the immediate relocation of DAK to Kuala Gandah,” said PROJEK PULANG Global Technical Operations Architect, Fuad Khalid.

“A city zoo prioritizes display and profit, but a sanctuary prioritizes health and autonomy. These elephants are national treasures, not for sale, hire or commercial commodities. They belong in the Malaysian rainforest – their true home – not confined to a concrete enclosure in Osaka,” he said.

Project director Mellisa Salim described the relocation as deeply distressing for the animals, citing drastic changes in climate, space, diet and routine.

“By moving endangered elephants from the lush rainforests of Malaysia to a concrete exhibit in a four-season climate is not a conservation; it is an exile,” she said.

The campaign has also renewed debate over the role of zoos in conservation programmes involving endangered wildlife, particularly animals originating from rescue and rehabilitation centres.

Legal, conservation questions fuel mounting public scrutiny

Beyond welfare concerns, the transfer has also sparked questions over administrative procedures, jurisdictional authority and compliance with international conservation agreements.

The elephants were reportedly transferred under an international cooperation agreement formalised in 2022 between Zoo Taiping & Night Safari and Tennoji Zoo as part of an “Elephant Conservation Programme” involving breeding and research.

However, critics argue the arrangement lacks transparency, particularly regarding the long-term nature of the transfer.

The Pahang state government has reportedly questioned whether proper consultation and consent were obtained before the elephants, originally raised at the Kuala Gandah sanctuary, were relocated out of the state and eventually exported to Japan.

Campaigners further argue the move may conflict with protections under the Pahang Biodiversity Ordinance and raise concerns under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which strictly regulates international movement of Asian elephants listed under Appendix I.

Activists and legal observers claim questions remain over whether the receiving facility in Japan meets the welfare standards expected under international conservation agreements.

PROJEK PULANG is now calling for an independent veterinary assessment of the elephants’ physical and psychological condition, greater transparency from authorities, and a clear roadmap for their repatriation to Malaysia.

The movement is also urging the Malaysian government to adopt stricter policies to prevent endangered wildlife from being transferred overseas for exhibition or commercial purposes.

The issue comes amid wider concerns over declining elephant populations in Malaysia. Under the National Elephant Conservation Action Plan 2023–2030, Peninsular Malaysia is estimated to have between 1,200 and 1,500 elephants remaining in the wild, while Sabah is home to around 1,000 elephants.

Campaign organisers say every remaining elephant is vital to maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance, warning that the continued loss of natural habitats and displacement of sanctuary populations could further threaten the species’ long-term survival.