MCA Youth calls for independent health check on elephant Kelat amid welfare concerns

SHAH ALAM – The recent reports surrounding the physical condition of Kelat, one of the three Malaysian elephants transferred to Tennoji Zoo in Osaka, Japan, earlier this year, have sparked urgent calls for an independent health assessment.

Expressing deep concern over allegations of significant weight loss, Malaysian Chinese Associations (MCA) Youth information chief Neow Choo Seong urged the Taiping Municipal Council (MPT) and the The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) to intervene immediately to ensure the welfare of Dara, Amoi and Kelat (DAK).

"It has been almost three months since I completed the 250-kilometre Solo Solidarity Run for DAK on June 22, to raise public awareness over the welfare of Dara, Amoi and Kelat, who were transferred to Tennoji Zoo on March 11," Neow said in a statement.

He noted that since the relocation, Malaysians have followed their status closely in the hope that all three animals remain healthy and properly cared for, making the recent reports of Kelat's deteriorating condition deeply concerning.

To resolve the uncertainty, Neow called on the relevant authorities to send a qualified Malaysian veterinary team to Japan within 14 days.

"A qualified Malaysian veterinary team should be sent to Tennoji Zoo within 14 days to conduct direct physical examinations, with full and unrestricted access to the animals and relevant welfare records," he said.

He added that the assessment should cover body weight, body condition, skin, eyes, feet, and nails, alongside blood tests, stress assessments, and parasite screening to determine whether Kelat's condition is due to normal musth-related changes or underlying chronic stress.

Neow also insisted that the investigation extend to the living environment provided by the Japanese facility, including enclosure size, daily diet, and management practices involving isolation.

He advocated for full transparency, urging that laboratory results, weight records and video documentation be made public and reviewed by independent international elephant-welfare specialists.

Should issues be identified, Neow reminded NRES and MPT of their obligation to review the placement agreement between Zoo Taiping & Night Safari and Tennoji Zoo.

"If Tennoji Zoo is unable to provide satisfactory assurances and access for an independent assessment, or if credible medical evidence establishes deterioration in the health or welfare of any of the three elephants, NRES and MPT must act decisively and activate the appropriate mechanism to bring DAK home," he said.

Addressing the separate issue of accountability, Neow highlighted the previous detention of four individuals by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) regarding the transfer investigation, noting that no court charges have yet been filed.

He urged the authorities not to let the matter fade, stating that those entrusted with safeguarding Malaysia's wildlife must act with urgency and transparency because DAK represents a vital part of the nation's natural heritage.

Previously, the transfer of the three elephants was previously finalised under a 25-year international cooperation agreement, with MPT serving as the official representative for Taiping Zoo. Relocating the animals involved a complex process, including sedation, carefully coordinated transport, and a period of adjustment to help them acclimatise to their new environment.

In April 2026, the story gained widespread traction online when Malaysian tourists visiting Tennoji Zoo shared viral TikTok videos showing the three elephants reacting instantly to their Malay names, Amoi, Dara and Kelat.

The poignant footage stirred an intense emotional response among viewers, rapidly escalating into a public movement across social media.

Under the hashtag #KembalikanDAK, concerned members of the public have rallied together, with online petitions gathering over 100,000 signatures to demand the immediate return of the elephants to Malaysia.