Kuala lumpur: Proposals to bring back Malaysian elephants Dara, Amoi, and Kelat from Tennoji Zoo in Osaka, Japan, are receiving attention from the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup. These elephants were initially sent as part of a conservation collaboration, but concerns over their welfare have prompted calls for their return.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the minister emphasized the need to align the transfer agreement with conservation principles and current sensitivities, suggesting that the elephants should be returned if these conditions are not met. The ministry has reviewed the memorandum submitted by various parties, including NGOs, and agrees that the proposal to repatriate the elephants warrants serious consideration due to public interest and evolving perspectives on animal welfare.

Minister Arthur urged Zoo Taiping and Night Safari (ZTNS) to engage with Tennoji Zoo in discussions to facilitate the elephants' return, highlighting their contractual role in this matter. He stated that the ministry is open to considering funding options needed for the elephants' repatriation, underscoring the importance of wildlife welfare and conservation as national priorities.

The welfare of the elephants has become a significant public concern, following the circulation of videos and images on social media. Arthur has engaged with Japanese and local authorities, including the Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia and ZTNS management, to clarify the conservation program's details and advocate for transparency and action.

The minister also clarified that the agreements facilitating the elephants' transfer, which took place in 2022, were made directly between ZTNS and Tennoji Zoo on a business-to-business basis, without the ministry's direct involvement.