Bali’s elephant-riding attractions have begun shutting down after Indonesia’s forestry authorities ordered conservation centres to end the practice, as local officials threaten to revoke the relevant permits for non-compliance.
The directive calls for the centres to stop elephant-riding “performances” and shift towards wildlife tourism that is more educational and ethical, according to a circular by the Ministry of Forestry’s Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation issued last month.
Although not a new law passed by parliament, the circular carries weight because it is enforced through conservation licensing, giving provincial authorities the power to issue warnings and revoke permits if necessary.
BKSDA Bali, the provincial conservation agency, has taken the lead, issuing warning letters and stepping up monitoring of facilities that keep elephants.
“All conservation institutions are required to stop elephant riding and begin transforming towards more educational, innovative and ethical wildlife tourism,” Ratna Hendratmoko, head of BKSDA Bali, said during a supervision visit in Denpasar on Sunday, according to state news agency Antara.
Elephant rides have long been permitted in Indonesia under conservation permits, particularly in Bali, where operators defended the practice for years as ethical.
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