What's Happening?
Bali Zoo has officially ended its elephant riding activities as of January 1, 2026, in response to growing animal welfare concerns. This decision was praised by PETA, which highlighted the need for further
action to address other attractions that exploit animals. PETA's Asia President emphasized that even seemingly benign interactions, such as bathing or feeding elephants, still involve conditioning animals to tolerate human contact, which denies them natural behaviors. Despite the positive step, PETA criticized the zoo's 'Breakfast with Orangutans' program, which uses primates as props for tourist photos. World Animal Protection also encourages tourists to observe animals from a distance and choose travel companies that prioritize animal welfare.
Why It's Important?
The decision by Bali Zoo to end elephant riding reflects a broader shift towards more ethical treatment of animals in tourism. This move could influence other zoos and tourist attractions to reconsider their practices, potentially leading to industry-wide changes in how animals are used for entertainment. The criticism from PETA and World Animal Protection highlights ongoing ethical concerns and pressures the tourism industry to adopt more humane practices. This development is significant for animal rights advocates and could impact tourism businesses that rely on animal attractions, prompting them to innovate and find alternative ways to engage visitors.
