Bring them home: Memorandum submitted to Taiping council demanding return of Dara, Amoi and Kelat from Japan
"A '50-50' answer is simply not reasonable. We are not satisfied with that response."
AT A GLANCE
- Repatriation Push: Animal welfare groups have submitted a memorandum to the Taiping Municipal Council demanding the return of three Malaysian elephants from Osaka’s Tennoji Zoo.
- Welfare Concerns: Activists, backed by 160,000 petition signatures, cite poor conditions and potential injuries as primary reasons for ending the Japanese collaboration.
- Diplomatic Stance: While officials maintain the transfer complied with international standards, Perak state executive councillor Sandrea Ng has briefed the Prime Minister on the developing situation.
The Memorandum
SHAH ALAM – Animal welfare groups have submitted a memorandum to the Taiping Municipal Council urging immediate action to bring home three Malaysian elephants currently housed at a zoo in Japan, as public pressure mounts over the animals' wellbeing.
The memorandum, submitted by Sekretariat Bahana Kesetiaan Negara (SBKN) and other advocates, calls on authorities to secure the return of Dara, Amoi and Kelat, collectively known as DAK, who were sent to Tennoji Zoo in Osaka under a collaboration with Zoo Taiping & Night Safari.
The submission also saw a peaceful demonstration at the council today, drawing a small but determined group of activists led by social activist Datuk Dr Kalaivanar.
Welfare Concerns
SBKN stressed that its efforts are centred solely on animal welfare and not politics, pursuing its campaign through peaceful assemblies and memorandums.
Kalaivanar said discussions with authorities have so far yielded no firm commitment on a return date.
"When we ask when the elephants will be brought back, there is still no clear answer. A '50-50' answer is simply not reasonable. We are not satisfied with that response," he said.
He argued that concerns over the elephants' condition should not be downplayed, saying the situation at Tennoji Zoo was genuinely worrying.
"When we raise the issue of their welfare, we maintain that the situation there is not good. We should not compare it with what happens in our country, the conditions there are indeed concerning," he said.
Kalaivanar noted that the petition calling for the elephants' return has drawn more than 160,000 signatures.
"This is not a small number. It shows that a large portion of the public wants the elephants brought home," he said.
Official Response
While authorities indicated that immediate repatriation may not be feasible given the recent transfer, SBKN has proposed that a clear timeline be set.
"We understand that, but we have asked for a timeframe so the public can be assured they will return," Kalaivanar said, adding that officials had indicated a formal reply to the memorandum would be issued soon.
He warned that the group was prepared to escalate the matter if necessary.
"We will likely take this issue to a higher level, depending on the response from the leadership. We have been patient, but the priority now is simple — bring the elephants home," he said.
Separately, concerns have been raised over reports that one of the elephants, Kelat, may have suffered a leg injury. Advocates have also questioned whether Japan's climate and environment are suitable for the animals.
Next Steps
Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail has reportedly urged that the elephants be returned and placed at the National Elephant Conservation Centre in Kuala Gandah. SBKN has also called for inter-agency cooperation, involving authorities such as the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry.
Perak state executive councillor Sandrea Ng has maintained that the transfer was not a sale and that ownership of the elephants remains with Zoo Taiping.
She said the relocation, which had been in planning since 2021, received approval from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) and complied with international conservation standards, including CITES regulations.
Ng has also met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to discuss developments surrounding the three elephants, including their welfare, diplomatic considerations and existing agreements.
Critics have consistently argued that welfare considerations should take precedence over procedural compliance.
Today's gathering drew attention on social media, with a viral Threads post praising those present as "unsung heroes" — many of them women and community figures who stepped forward to speak on the issue.
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