Bali Zoo, Indonesia bans elephant rides for tourists amid growing pressure from animal welfare groups

Bali Zoo has stopped its controversial elephant rides, finally caving to long-term pressure from animal welfare groups.

The zoo, which was the first of its kind on the Indonesian holiday island, was well-known for offering scenic elephant rides to tourists.

For years, it offered elephant rides for the equivalent of about $150 per person, advertising “one of Bali’s best new elephant trails”.

“You will be driven by one of our experienced mahouts from a comfortable bench seat perched on top of one of our Sumatran elephants through a stunning scenery path that winds through parts of the zoo,” an advertisement for the rides read.

Pictures on Bali Zoo’s social media page show tourists smiling as they ride on the back of an elephant through water, led by a guide holding a metal spike.

Others show zoo staff standing on the backs of elephants and posing for photos.

But in the past decade, various groups have piled on the zoo for its “unethical” and “cruel” elephant rides.

PETA accused Bali Zoo of exploiting and abusing its animals, while World Animal Protection claimed the zoo engaged in “abusive practices” towards its animals.

It claimed bullhooks were used in a bid to control the animals so tourists could be offered experiences such as rides.

On Wednesday, Bali Zoo announced it had made “a step forward for elephant welfare” in stopping the rides since the start of the year.

“Bali Zoo has discontinued elephant riding,” a post on its Facebook page read.

“This decision supports our ongoing commitment to animal welfare, giving our elephants more time for natural behaviours, social interaction and enrichment.

“Thank you for respecting this update.”

The news has been largely welcomed by the zoo’s online followers, including countless Australians.

“About time! It should be banned in all zoos and sanctuaries, well done,” one Facebook user wrote.

World Animal Protection ANZ head of campaigns Suzanne Milthorpe said the move followed years of advocacy by the group.

“The announcement that Bali Zoo is ending elephant riding sends a strong signal to the tourism industry that elephant riding belongs in the history books,” she said.

In December, Indonesian news outlet The Bali Sun reported that there was a growing push to end elephant rides for tourists, led by the Bali Province Conservation and Natural Resources Agency.

“Elephant management must be civilised, respectful because they are animals, equally created by God,” the agency’s head Ratna Hendratmoko told the publication.