Mason Elephant Park & Lodge in Bali, a for-profit zoo, this week became the last facility in Indonesia to end elephant rides, following a directive from the country’s Ministry of Forestry.
This landmark decision comes after PETA’s investigation into elephant tourism facilities, released in November and a campaign by World Animal Protection ANZ.
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“Elephants are too often on the losing end of the tourism industry,” President of PETA Asia Jason Baker said. “PETA investigations have found elephants routinely chained and beaten with sharp bullhooks to force them to obey for tourist rides, while babies are frequently subjected to brutal training methods designed to break their spirits.
The move by the Indonesian government – and specifically the Ministry of Forestry – puts Indonesia at the forefront of elephant welfare. While more work remains, this makes Indonesia the first country in Asia to ban elephant rides nationwide. History will look back on this as a precedent-setting decision.
“We now urge Nepal, Thailand, India, and other countries to follow Indonesia’s lead, and we call on travel agencies worldwide to stop selling packages that include elephant rides anywhere in the world.”
Momentum has been building in Indonesia since Bali Zoo officially ended elephant riding last week, 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.
