Perak exco defends 25-year Malaysia–Japan elephant deal after outcry, says welfare safeguards in place

BATU GAJAH, May 9 — The 25-year international cooperation agreement involving three Malaysian elephants – Dara, Amoi and Kelat (DAK), between Taiping Zoo and Night Safari (ZTNS) and Tennoji Zoo Osaka (TZO) has been described as reasonable.

Perak Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching said the duration was determined based on long-term conservation and breeding efforts, with various views taken into account before the agreement was finalised.

“The three elephants remain the property of Taiping Zoo, while ownership of the first-generation calves has already been determined under the agreement. The first, third and fifth calves will belong to Tennoji Zoo, while the second, fourth and sixth calves will belong to Taiping Zoo.

“This is part of a conservation collaboration that requires a suitable timeframe,” she told reporters after officiating the Santai-Santai Open Day Ardea at the Taman Tasik Ardea housing project here today.

Meanwhile, Sandrea said the state government has no plans to establish a special task force to monitor the condition of DAK, which are currently housed at TZO.

She said the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) had assigned mahouts to accompany the elephants during the adaptation process and monitor their condition in Japan.

“At the Perhilitan level, mahouts have been sent as Malaysia’s representatives to monitor the elephants and assist them in adapting. Taiping Zoo also receives periodic reports to ensure all three elephants remain in  healthy and stable condition.

“So far, we believe the existing mechanism is functioning well. Although the state government has faced considerable pressure, we will not act hastily. We want to ensure every aspect of the cooperation agreement is implemented properly, as the welfare of the three elephants remains our priority,” she said.

Earlier, coordinator of DAK Joint Solidarity Secretariat Neow Choo Seong described the memorandum of understanding period as excessively long and unreasonable, likening it to a “life sentence” for the elephants, particularly Kelat, which is now 25 years old.

Neow, who attended the solidarity gathering outside ZTNS in Taiping, also urged the government to immediately establish a special task force comprising elephant experts, animal specialists and independent zoologists to assess the elephants’ physical and mental wellbeing. — Bernama