Perhilitan urged to address DAK issues, consider bringing elephants home from Japan

KUALA LUMPUR – The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) has been urged to explain the transfer of three Malaysian Asian elephants – Dara, Amoi and Kelat (DAK) – to Tennoji Zoo in Osaka, Japan.

The call came from Dr SR Raws and the Malaysian Nature Conservation Organisation (Perkam), led by Professor Dr Santharasegaran Subramaniam, together with a coalition of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and individuals, through a memorandum submitted to the relevant authorities.

The group wants the existing arrangement cancelled and the three elephants brought back to Malaysia if they can be safely returned and doing so is in their best interests.

“Perhilitan, as the agency that approved the permit for DAK’s transfer, must openly explain the decision, including the status of the 25-year inter-zoo agreement, which is said to have a direct impact on the future of the three elephants,” they said.

The coalition has also called on Perhilitan to accept an independent and professional assessment by international elephant expert Dr William Keith Lindsay.

According to Dr SR Raws, Lindsay has produced three reports on the DAK issue.

“Any decision affecting the lives and welfare of the elephants should be based on science, expertise and animal welfare principles, with DAK’s interests given priority,” they said.

It also wants clarification on allegations of fund leakages or abuse of power currently being investigated by the authorities, as well as details of Perhilitan’s position and internal measures to safeguard integrity in the country’s wildlife management.

The memorandum raises questions about key terms involving DAK, including the agreement made when the three elephants were sent to Japan, the responsibilities of each party, and the conditions governing their care, welfare and future.

“We also want Perhilitan to clarify the original ownership status of DAK, the parties responsible for them and those with the authority to decide on the future of the three elephants,” they said.

Concerns were also raised over Kelat’s physical injuries, including questions about the cutting and damage to its tusk after its arrival in Japan.

The coalition questioned Tennoji Zoo’s capacity to manage tropical elephants and the decision to place the animals, some of which were rescued from the National Elephant Conservation Centre in Kuala Gandah, Pahang, at an overseas urban zoo in a temperate climate instead of a domestic conservation habitat.

“We want Perhilitan to explain the objectives, methods, monitoring and outcomes of the conservation programme involving DAK to ensure that the term ‘conservation’ is not used without clear objectives and measurable outcomes,” they stressed.

Meanwhile, animal and environmental activist Noraini Abd Khalil Saferi said the country’s natural heritage should not be treated as exhibition commodities or commercial diplomatic tools at the expense of animal welfare.

“Keeping tropical animals in a four-season country is not conservation. It is a step backwards,” she said.

Dr SR Raws said the demands centred on three main issues – answers, transparency and accountability – with the welfare of Dara, Amoi and Kelat as the priority.

He said that if there is a safe way to bring DAK back to Malaysia and their return would benefit their welfare, preparations should begin and be clearly presented.

One of the demands is for an emergency plan or exit clause in the written contract to allow DAK to return to Malaysia if the transfer is found to have failed to meet ethical and animal welfare considerations.

The coalition said the plan should cover the necessary preparations, placement location, transfer process and a realistic timeline.

If they are brought back to Malaysia, the group proposed that DAK be placed in a semi-wild habitat such as the National Elephant Conservation Centre in Kuala Gandah, Pahang.

The centre is considered more suitable for the elephants as it is located within their original ecosystem.

Perkam warned that it would continue mobilising public support if Perhilitan and the relevant ministry failed to provide concrete answers and an action plan to bring the three elephants home in the near future.