DENPASAR, DEWATA.NEWS – Bali Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA Bali) has addressed allegations of elephant exploitation at several tourist attractions on the island, stating that no conservation institutions in Bali have been found to violate Indonesia’s current animal welfare standards.
BKSDA Bali head Ratna Hendratmoko said authorities continue to remind elephant conservation facilities about animal welfare principles and anti-exploitation practices.
However, he noted that certain activities, including elephant riding and the use of the bullhook (angkusa), are not explicitly prohibited under Indonesian regulations at this time.
“We continue to issue reminders regarding animal welfare standards and anti-exploitation practices. Bali is closely monitoring this policy because, in Indonesia, these practices are not yet legally banned,” Ratna said on Saturday, 13 December 2025.
Regarding the use of bullhooks by elephant handlers, Ratna explained that the tool is still considered part of elephant management practices, provided it is not used excessively or abusively.
“It is part of the handling process. What is important is ensuring it is not used excessively. Mahouts at training centers and elephant conservation facilities still apply similar methods, but they must be carried out in a more humane manner,” he added.
Ratna emphasized that BKSDA Bali has formally asked all elephant conservation facilities on the island to gradually reduce and eventually stop elephant riding activities.
He stressed that animal welfare is an essential component of Bali’s tourism industry, particularly as conservation centers operate as ex-situ facilities for animals that can no longer survive in the wild.
“We are encouraging all conservation institutions in Bali, including the five facilities managing elephants, to prioritize animal welfare principles. We are also urging them to develop alternative thematic activities beyond elephant riding,” he said.
According to BKSDA data, Bali currently has 84 elephants under conservation care. Ratna noted that even without riding activities, elephants still require regular physical activity, such as daily walking, as long as these activities are free from violence or abusive treatment.
“The most important thing is that all activities must be free from abuse. We will continue to remind conservation institutions to reduce and eventually stop elephant riding practices,” Ratna stated.
The clarification follows allegations raised by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Australia, which accused three Bali-based tourist attractions of mistreating elephants.
PETA claimed the facilities removed elephants from their natural habitats and misled tourists into paying for attractions that allegedly involved animal cruelty.
“This shameful industry tears elephants away from their natural habitats and tricks unsuspecting tourists into paying for animal abuse” said PETA Australia Senior Campaign Adviser Mimi Bekhechi, as quoted on the organization’s official website on Thursday, 11 November 2025.