GIANYAR, DEWATA.NEWS – Elephant riding attractions at Mason Elephant Park have officially been discontinued, with the operator confirming that all such activities stopped on January 25, 2026.
The decision was announced by Bali Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA Bali). Head of BKSDA Bali, Ratna Hendratmoko, said the park’s management, PT Wisatareksa Gajah Perdana, had formally signed a statement confirming the permanent closure of elephant riding activities.
“The company has officially halted all elephant riding activities effective January 25, 2026,” Hendratmoko said in a press release issued on Monday.
According to BKSDA Bali, the closure followed two formal warning letters issued by the Ministry of Forestry earlier in January 2026. A site inspection was conducted on the same day the closure took effect, and officials confirmed that no elephant riding activities were being carried out by visitors or staff.
“Based on monitoring conducted at 4:00 p.m. WITA, no elephant riding demonstrations were found at the conservation facility,” Hendratmoko stated.
BKSDA Bali said it will continue to conduct supervision, provide technical assistance, and submit regular reports to the Ministry of Forestry. The agency emphasized that the policy applies to all conservation institutions across Bali.
“We reiterate that all conservation facilities are required to stop elephant riding and begin transitioning toward wildlife tourism that is more educational, innovative, and ethical,” Hendratmoko said.
The issue had drawn public attention earlier in January after the attraction was reported to still be operating despite the issuance of warning letters. Mason Elephant Park management previously acknowledged that elephant riding was still available to visitors while awaiting further direction.
Park manager Ketut Sari had said at the time that the warning letter granted a one-month period to stop the activity and acknowledged that an immediate closure would significantly affect revenue.
“Our revenue would drop by more than 50 percent, and operational costs for elephant welfare and staff would be difficult to cover if the attraction was closed immediately,” he said.
With the official closure now in place, authorities say the focus will shift toward ensuring compliance and supporting a transition to alternative, non-riding-based wildlife experiences in Bali.