PROPOSALS from various parties, including non-governmental organisations, to return three Malaysian elephants currently housed at Tennoji Zoo in Osaka, Japan, are being treated with urgency by the government amid growing concerns over animal welfare standards and public sentiment.
Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the elephants – Dara, Amoi and Kelat – were previously transferred to Japan under a conservation collaboration, but the arrangement is now under renewed scrutiny.
He said that if the terms of the agreement were found to be no longer aligned with conservation principles, animal welfare standards and current sensitivities, then repatriation should be considered.
After reviewing a memorandum submitted on the matter, the ministry said it is, in principle, of the view that the proposal to bring the elephants home should be seriously considered, taking into account public interest and current sensitivities.
“In this regard, I strongly urge the management of Zoo Taiping & Night Safari (ZTNS) to initiate discussions with Tennoji Zoo in Osaka to assess the requirements and mechanism for bringing the elephants back, as they are the parties with contractual obligations,” he said at a press conference.
Arthur said the ministry was prepared, if necessary, to consider financial support to facilitate the elephants’ return as part of broader efforts to protect Malaysia’s natural heritage.
“Although the previous administration made the decision, as the minister holding the mandate today, I will not compromise on issues concerning wildlife welfare,” he said.
He added that the ministry had taken seriously public concern sparked by images and videos circulating on social media showing the elephants in Japan.
Arthur said he had met Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata on April 13, as well as Taiping Municipal Council president Mohamed Akmal Dahalan and ZTNS management on April 21, to seek clarification on the conservation arrangement.
“During the meetings, we put forward several proposals and requested that certain actions be taken and explanations provided publicly, but to date these requests have yet to be fulfilled by both parties,” he said.
He also confirmed that the collaboration between ZTNS and Tennoji Zoo was formalised through agreements dated May 19, 2022 and October 6, 2022, adding that the ministry was not a signatory to the deal.
“The ministry is not a signatory to these agreements. The transfer of the three elephants was agreed directly between ZTNS and Tennoji Zoo on a business-to-business (B2B) basis,” he said.
Arthur said the proposal for repatriation should be given immediate attention following examination of the memorandum submitted, stating: “Based on the examination of the memorandum submitted, we are of the view that the proposal to return these three elephants should be given immediate attention in the interest of the public and current sensitivities.”
Media reports have indicated that pressure is mounting for formal negotiations to begin, as concerns over the elephants’ welfare continue to draw widespread attention in Malaysia. - April 29, 2026
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