Bali Zoo has stopped its elephant ride attraction following years of criticism from animal welfare groups, as authorities warn conservation institutions to comply with a nationwide ban.
Bali Zoo has officially ended its elephant ride attraction following years of criticism and pressure from international animal welfare organisations over the alleged unethical treatment of animals.
Animal welfare groups have long condemned the practice. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has accused Bali Zoo of exploiting and abusing elephants, while World Animal Protection has claimed the zoo engaged in “abusive practices”.
The zoo confirmed on Wednesday, the 14th of January, that it had stopped offering elephant rides at the beginning of the year, describing the move as “a step forward for elephant welfare”.
“Effective the 1st of January, 2026, Bali Zoo has discontinued elephant riding. This decision supports our ongoing commitment to animal welfare, giving our elephants more time for natural behaviours, social interaction and enrichment,” Bali Zoo said in a post published on Facebook on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Conservation and Natural Resources Agency (Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam or BKSDA) of the Bali Province has warned that it will revoke the permits of conservation institutions that fail to comply with regulations requiring the termination of elephant-riding programmes.
“We will take firm action by issuing warnings and even revoking the permits of conservation institutions,” said Ratna Hendratmoko, the Head of the BKSDA of the Bali Province, in Denpasar on the following Thursday (the 15th of January).
Hendratmoko divulged that by the end of 2025, there were 13 conservation institutions in Bali—five of which manage Sumatran elephants. In total, these five institutions, as of now, are responsible for 83 Sumatran elephants.
The BKSDA of the Bali Province has carried out outreach to conservation institutions to ensure compliance with the circular, including broader animal welfare standards across all facilities. The agency will also increase oversight of the implementation of the elephant riding ban. Previously, the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry, through the Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation, had issued Circular Letter No. 6 of 2025 on the termination of elephant riding performances in conservation institutions on the 18th of December, 2025.
“We are committed to continuously monitoring the implementation of the circular. We emphasise to conservation institutions the need to comply with it,” Hendratmoko added.