Bali Zoo has officially ended elephant riding, a move welcomed by animal welfare advocates as a major step forward for captive elephant welfare in Southeast Asia.
Effective 1 January 2026, the zoo confirmed it has discontinued the activity to give its elephants more time for natural behaviours, social interaction and enrichment.
Suzanne Milthorpe, head of campaigns for World Animal Protection ANZ, said the decision sends a clear message to the tourism industry.
“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,” Milthorpe told Travel Weekly.
She noted the decision follows similar action taken by TSI Bogor, TSI Prigen and A’Famosa, which halted elephant riding in 2024.
Milthorpe said the shift reflects years of advocacy by World Animal Protection, including reports published in 2018 and 2023 examining captive wildlife entertainment venues in Bali.
“Our reports shone a spotlight on the cruelty that wild animals like elephants endure at several venues, including two that have now announced riding bans,” she said.
While welcoming the move, Milthorpe said elephant riding remains one of the cruellest forms of captive animal entertainment and warned some venues are yet to follow suit.
“Some venues within Bali, like Mason Elephant Park, are still offering elephant riding activities,” she said.
She added that progress has also been driven by the Southeast Asian Zoos and Aquariums Association, which has taken a strong public stance against elephant riding. Bali Zoo and the three other venues that have ended the practice are members of the association.
Momentum has also come from local authorities. In December 2025, the Bali Province Conservation and Natural Resources Agency called on tourism operators to respect elephants and shift away from riding-based attractions.
“As attitudes change and tourists move to more responsible ways of seeing elephants, venues still offering close encounters risk being out of step with community expectations,” Milthorpe said.
“Most travellers don’t realise their once-in-a-lifetime encounter with an elephant can mean a lifetime of misery for that animal.”
World Animal Protection is urging travellers to choose responsible tourism experiences, encouraging visitors to observe elephants from a safe distance in natural environments and to book with travel companies that prioritise animal welfare.
