To the Right Honourable Prime Minister of Malaysia,

Every elephant deserves the freedom to live as an elephant, not as an entertainer, a tourist attraction or a commodity.

The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) is an Endangered species and is protected as Totally Protected Wildlife under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716). Yet some elephants in Malaysia continue to be used for rides, performances, entertainment, promotional events and private safari attractions. Others have been sent overseas, where they may spend decades in captivity. These practices do not represent genuine conservation or modern animal welfare.

Science has transformed our understanding of elephants. They are highly intelligent, emotionally complex and deeply social animals that require space, strong family bonds, freedom of choice and the opportunity to express their natural behaviours. The internationally recognised Five Domains Model of Animal Welfare assesses an animal's nutrition, physical environment, health, behavioural interactions and mental state, recognising that good welfare depends on both physical and psychological wellbeing.

THIS IS NOT CONSERVATION

• EXPLOITATION : Forcing elephants to perform behaviours that are unnatural to their species: Elephant rides, performances, demonstrations, tourist interactions and other forms of commercial entertainment in Private safari attractions. These acts over time can cause severe spinal & joint issues.

• PHYSICAL WELLBEING: Elephants don’t belong in Zoos. Long term captivity in small concrete enclosures with hard floors with no freedom of movement damages the joints. Exporting elephants to environments & weather that cannot meet their long term welfare needs.

• MENTAL & EMOTIONAL WELBEING: Scientific research shows that chronic stress and deprived environments can adversely affect brain development, brain structure and cognitive function. Elephants kept in long term captivity are at risk of severe psychological harm, depression, zoochosis and lasting impairment of their wellbeing.

• ZOOs: Keeping elephants over a decade in zoos & breeding them in captivity DOES NOT contribute to conservation in anyway whatsoever. No captive bred elephant has been released into the wild to this date in the world. Holding on to cognitive damaged  & lonely elephants do not contribute to conservation nor the welfare of these majestic sentient beings.

THIS IS CONSERVATION

•       Allowing elephants to live as elephants.Protecting elephants, their habitats and their welfare.

•       Rescue, rehabilitation and large ethical sanctuaries.

•       Science based animal welfare & conservation.

•       Educating the public by observing elephants displaying their natural behaviours.

OUR CONCERNS ABOUT WELFARE OF ELEPHANTS OVERSEAS & THEIR EXPLOITATION in Malaysia & Overseas:

We are deeply concerned about the welfare of all Malaysian elephants living overseas, especially Dara, Amoi and Kelat. Long term captivity, confinement in urban zoos, and the reported use of some elephants for entertainment and public performances raise serious welfare and potential abuse concerns. We respectfully urge the Government of Malaysia to conduct a comprehensive scientific welfare assessment of every Malaysian elephant living overseas and work towards bringing them home.

Across the world, governments, tourism operators and wildlife institutions are ending elephant rides and entertainment as scientific evidence continues to demonstrate the physical and psychological harm these practices can cause. Malaysia should lead this movement, not be left behind.Elephant sanctuaries such as the National Elephant Conservation Centre Kuala Gandah and Kenyir Elephant Sanctuary should exist solely for rescue, rehabilitation, conservation and public education. They should never become venues for entertainment or commercial activities. Malaysians can learn far more by observing elephants behaving naturally than by watching them perform.

The Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716) already recognises the need for strict control over the use of Totally Protected Wildlife. Under Section 11, the use of Totally Protected Wildlife, including Asian elephants, in zoos, circuses and wildlife exhibitions requires a special permit. If elephants are recognised by law as Totally Protected Wildlife, they should also be protected from commercial exploitation.

We respectfully call upon the Government of Malaysia to:

1.Ban the commercial use of elephants for rides, performances, entertainment, promotional activities and similar attractions by amending the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716)
2. Prohibit the use of elephants in private safari operations and ensure that all elephant facilities, whether public or private, comply with national elephant welfare standards based on modern science.
3. Ensure that all elephant sanctuaries and conservation centres are dedicated solely to rescue, rehabilitation, conservation, research and public education through the observation of natural elephant behaviours.
4. Review Malaysia's policy on sending elephants overseas, conduct an independent scientific welfare assessment of every Malaysian elephant living abroad, publicly report the findings, and work towards bringing our elephants home.
5. Develop and enforce comprehensive national elephant welfare standards based on the Five Domains Model of Animal Welfare and the best available scientific evidence.

As custodians of a Totally Protected species, we have both a legal and moral responsibility to ensure that elephant management reflects the best available science and the highest standards of animal welfare

Conservation means allowing elephants to live as elephants and protecting them absolutely.

If you believe our majestic elephants deserve dignity, freedom and TOTAL PROTECTION based on science rather than commercial exploitation, please sign this petition. Together, we can ensure that Malaysia's elephants are protected not only by law, but also by compassion.