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SHAH ALAM – Calls for the return of three elephants, Dara, Amoi and Kelat, have continued to gain traction online as Malaysians express concern over their welfare and urge authorities to ensure their immediate return to Malaysia.
The three Malaysian elephants were flown to the Tennoji Zoo in Osaka, Japan from the Taiping Zoo and Night Safari (TZNS) on March 11 as part of the Malaysian Elephant Conservation Programme for breeding and research purposes.
These elephants were previously under the care of the National Elephant Conservation Centre Kuala Gandah, a well-known elephant conservation facility dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and protection of elephants in Malaysia.
The issue saw widespread public discussion, as people were deeply concerned about the elephants' well-being.
On social media, people urged for the animals to be returned and remain under the care of local wildlife facilities where they were originally kept.
Many users on Threads questioned the delay in bringing the animals back, with some raising concerns about their current health and living conditions.
One user, @izzahnazari, expressed a direct appeal for their return, saying: “Please bring them back to Malaysia where they belong.”
Another user, @leynajan, voiced frustration over the situation and questioned the rationale behind the delay, stating: “Then what are they waiting for to bring them back? Dara, Amoi and Kelat should stay in Malaysia. Bring them back. Is Malaysia too poor to take care of them?”
Meanwhile, @_amylieaa raised stronger concerns regarding the elephants’ welfare, questioning whether sufficient care and rehabilitation measures are being implemented.
“Okay, and then? What action has been taken? Can’t you see the signs of stress in those animals? What kind of rehabilitation is this if even the tusks are broken, and Kelat already looks like he has lost weight.”
Previously, Perak Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching clarified that the elephants remained the property of TZNS, stressing that the relocation did not involve any transfer of ownership or any sale transaction.
Despite this clarification, public concern continues to grow, with Malaysians questioning why the elephants have yet to be returned if they are indeed the property of TZNS
Many argued that, as rightful assets of the institution, the three elephants should be brought home without further delay, in line with calls for their welfare to be prioritised and safeguarded under local care.
Meanwhile, a "Protect Malaysia’s Elephants: Return Dara, Amoi and Kelat and Stop Wildlife Transfers Overseas" petition began circulating online garnering 106,447 supporters so far, with a target of 110,000 signatures.
The petition urges the immediate return of the elephants to Malaysia and calls for wildlife transfers abroad to be halted.
The petition was addressed to the Director of Tennoji Zoo, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia, the Osaka City Government and Malaysia's Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry.