Conservation operators warn abrupt restrictions may strain finances and disrupt elephant care systems
Indonesia’s decision to ban elephant rides nationwide marks a significant shift in wildlife protection policy, but conservation operators caution that without careful implementation, the move could unintentionally undermine the welfare of the very animals it aims to protect.
Concerns From Conservation Operators
Operators at elephant conservation sites and zoos across Indonesia have raised concerns over the Forestry Ministry’s circular banning elephant rides, effective in 2026. Sugiyo, landscape manager at Taman Nasional Way Kambas in Lampung, warned that the policy could disrupt elephants’ daily routines by reducing structured activities and human interaction. According to him, elephants accustomed to routine engagement may face stress and boredom if alternative stimulation is not properly introduced.
Welfare, Training, and Safety Risks
Sugiyo highlighted that elephant rides require intensive training by mahouts, which helps manage behavior and safety. Without work-based routines, training frequency could decline, increasing the risk of aggression, particularly in facilities with limited land. He added that conservation centres would need to allocate more space to allow elephants to roam and interact socially to compensate for the loss of ride-related activities.
Financial Impact on Conservation Sites
Beyond animal behavior, the ban poses economic challenges. Many conservation centres rely on paid elephant rides to fund daily operations, including food, medical care, and staffing. Bali’s Mason Elephant Park previously estimated it could lose up to 50 percent of its income following the ban, raising concerns about long-term sustainability and welfare standards if alternative revenue models are not developed.
Government’s Welfare Rationale
The Forestry Ministry stated that elephant riding is no longer aligned with animal protection, ethics, and welfare principles. Asian elephants are classified as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List, requiring extreme caution in their use. The ministry noted that elephants’ spines are built to bear pulling loads rather than vertical weight, and carrying tourist seats can lead to inflammation and spinal deformities such as lordosis.
Limited Exceptions and Future Direction
While recreational riding is prohibited, the circular allows limited use of elephants for conservation patrols, human-elephant conflict mitigation, disaster response, mahout-led care, and environmental conservation, subject to ministerial approval. The government also encouraged conservation centres to shift toward educational programs focused on natural elephant behavior and observation without direct physical contact.
Calls for Consultation and Coordination
Tony Sumampau, secretary-general of the Indonesian Zoo Association (PKBSI) and commissioner at Taman Safari Indonesia, urged the government to consult operators before issuing such regulations. He stressed that while the association supports regulation, poor coordination could harm animal welfare outcomes. PKBSI plans to formally convey its concerns to the government. Official data from 2016 showed 1,322 elephants living in conservation centres and zoos, with a similar number in the wild, though updated figures have not been released.
Indonesia’s elephant ride ban reflects a growing commitment to animal welfare, yet its success will depend on coordinated implementation, adequate funding alternatives, and adaptive care strategies. For both Indonesians and Singaporeans engaged in conservation, tourism, and sustainability, the policy highlights the delicate balance between ethical reform and operational realities in protecting critically endangered wildlife.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , The Star (2026)
Keywords: Elephant Ride Ban, Asian Elephants, Indonesian Conservation Centers, Animal Welfare Regulations, Forestry Ministry Policy
