Bali Zoo announces an end to cruel elephant rides
News
Bali Zoo has announced an end to elephant rides. This huge win for elephants comes after years of tireless advocacy and on‑the‑ground engagement made possible by you.
Image credit: World Animal Protection / Andito Wasi
Bali Zoo’s decision to end elephant rides sends a strong signal to the tourism industry that elephant riding belongs in the history books.
This wonderful announcement comes only a few years after you helped us shine a light on elephant suffering at this popular tourist venue in our 2018 Wildlife Abusement Parks and our 2023 Holidays that Harm reports.
This development follows the Southeast Asian Zoos and Aquariums Association taking a strong public position against elephant riding in 2024.
Bali Zoo’s decision to end elephant rides is a major win for elephants who have suffered for years in tourist attractions.
Elephant riding is one of the cruellest captive animal entertainment offerings. And while this is a welcome step in the right direction, some venues within Bali like Mason Elephant Park are still offering elephant riding activities.
As attitudes change and tourists move to more responsible ways of seeing elephants, the Balinese venues still offering close encounters with elephants risk being out of step with community expectations and left behind in their outdated offerings.
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 you love elephants, we’re encouraging you to visit them from a safe distance in their natural environments. It is also vital to ensure your trip is organised by a responsible travel company that takes animal welfare seriously.
Together, we can give every elephant a life worth living.
End elephant suffering
Call on Mason Elephant Park and Lodge to end the captive breeding of elephants and the cruel interactions for tourist entertainment.
Holidays that harm
Elephant rides, tiger shows, swimming with dolphins and orangutan selfies are just some of the cruel interactions on offer at tourism venues in Bali and Lombok.
Donate to protect elephants
You can help give elephants the chance to live out their lives in a calm, peaceful environment.