Bali Zoo has quietly made a significant change that will likely resonate with Australian travellers and animal lovers everywhere. From 1 January 2026, the Bali attraction stopped offering elephant rides, saying it is putting animal welfare first.
The decision aligns with a 2025 regulation from Indonesia’s Forestry Ministry that bans elephant riding at conservation facilities.
“A step forward for elephant welfare. Effective 1 January 2026, Bali Zoo has discontinued elephant riding,” Bali Zoo stated on social media.
“This decision supports our ongoing commitment to animal welfare, giving our elephants more time for natural behaviours, social interaction and enrichment.”
According to the Indonesian news agency Antara, Bali Zoo confirmed that it had coordinated closely with the Bali Provincial Natural Resources Conservation Agency to implement the change smoothly.
“Animal welfare is our main priority,” Bali Zoo public relations manager Emma Kristiana Chandra said.
“We made this decision to support better elephant management and ensure continuous improvement in animal handling standards.”
Ms Chandra added that the zoo will now refocus on animal care, conservation education and visitor experiences that avoid direct physical interaction.
According to the conservation organisation, BKSDA, Bali Zoo houses 14 Sumatran elephants, a critically endangered species protected under Indonesian law. Across Bali, 83 Sumatran elephants live in five conservation facilities.
“Strong signal”
Suzanne Milthorpe, head of campaigns for World Animal Protection ANZ, said the decision “sends a strong signal to the tourism industry that elephant riding belongs in the history books”.
“This progress for captive elephants follows years of tireless advocacy and on-the-ground engagement by World Animal Protection,” she remarked.
“Our 2018 and 2023 reports on captive wildlife entertainment venues in Bali shone a spotlight on the cruelty that wild animals like elephants endure at several of the venues including the two that have announced the riding ban.
“Elephant riding is one of the cruellest captive animal entertainment offerings. While this is a welcome step in the right direction, some venues within Bali, like Mason Elephant Park, are still offering elephant riding activities.
“This development was also made possible by the Southeast Asian Zoos and Aquariums Association taking a strong public position against elephant riding.”
Milthorpe warned Balinese venues still offering elephant encounters risk falling out of step with community expectations.
“As attitudes change and tourists move to more responsible ways of seeing elephants,” she said.
“Most travellers don’t realise their once-in-a-lifetime encounter with an elephant can mean a lifetime of misery for that animal. That is why we’re urging holidaymakers to be responsible travellers.
“If tourists love elephants, we’re encouraging them to visit them from a safe distance in their natural environments. And make sure their trip is organised by a responsible travel company that takes animal welfare seriously.”
KARRYON UNPACKS: Ethical wildlife experiences increasingly influence bookings. Bali Zoo’s move reflects shifting expectations travel advisors need to navigate with clients seeking responsible travel choices.
