Indonesia makes world‑first move to end elephant rides
News
Elephants in Indonesia are one massive step closer to a life free from exploitation after the Government issued a world‑leading directive to end cruel elephant rides, including in Bali.
Image credit: World Animal Protection / Andito Wasi
The Government of Indonesia is asking tourism operators to discontinue elephant rides and to respect the welfare of elephants, a move that is already influencing major captive wildlife venues in Bali.
One of the most significant shifts has come from Bali’s notorious Mason Elephant Park and Lodge, a venue long criticised by animal welfare groups. After government warnings and pressure from Indonesia and around the world to comply with the new directive, the park has announced they will end elephant rides at the venue.
This massive win for elephants comes a little after more than 10,000 Indonesians, New Zealanders and Australians signed our petition calling on the venue to end this cruel practice and give elephants a life worth living. Thank you for your support!
We applaud the Indonesian Government in their call for elephants to be treated with respect and support any efforts they make to reduce the suffering of wild animals in the tourism industry.
Elephant riding is one of the cruellest captive animal entertainment offerings. Most holidaymakers don’t realise their once-in-a-lifetime encounter with an elephant can mean a lifetime of misery for that animal.
The Government’s decision to end this cruel practice in Indonesia and Bali sends a strong signal to the wider industry that we're entering a new chapter of more responsible wildlife tourism.
This incredible milestone is the culmination of over nine years of campaigning that you made possible. Here’s a snapshot of how we achieved this victory:
2018:
- You helped release the ‘Wildlife Abusement Parks’ investigation, exposing welfare issues at 26 wildlife tourism venues in Bali, Lombok and Gili Trawangan.
- In response, major travel companies, including FlightCentre, removed elephant riding offerings from their websites.
- Together, we built pressure on the major travel companies who were still profiting from elephant riding, pushing them to end the practice and stop financially supporting elephant cruelty.
Wildlife Abusement Parks
Across the world, and throughout Asia, wild animals are being taken from the wild, or bred in captivity, to be used in the tourism entertainment industry.
2023:
- With your support, we released our ‘Holidays that Harm’ report that reassessed wildlife tourism venues post-COVID to find out what had changed. This helped us build strong partnerships with local groups in Indonesia and we worked together with them to engage the Indonesian Government.
- More than 10,000 animal lovers across Indonesia, Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand signed a petition calling on popular Bali wildlife tourism venue Mason Elephant Lodge to end elephant riding.
- We also engaged with key conservation and zoo associations to advocate for a ban on elephant rides at member venues across Southeast Asia.
Holidays that harm
Read our 'Holidays that Harm' report and learn about the wildlife suffering at tourist venues in Bali and Lombok.
2024:
- Following the release of these exposés, three venues in Indonesia and Malaysia ended elephant rides.
- Our local partners engaged with the Balinese Government to advocate for improved welfare for captive wildlife in tourism venues.
- You also helped build strong partnerships with local groups in Indonesia, pushing for change on the ground.
2026:
- Bali Zoo and Mason Elephant Park announced an end to elephant riding, and we understand that other venues across Indonesia have also been asked to end the activity and respect elephants.
No more elephant rides at Bali Zoo!
This huge win for elephants comes after years of tireless advocacy and on‑the‑ground engagement made possible by you.
We know that people love animals, and most tourists don’t want to see their holidays causing harm. A key part of our work has been to provide tourists with the information they need to truly have a wildlife-friendly holiday. You can find more information on how to be a wildlife-friendly tourist.
Together, we’re making this the last generation of elephants to suffer for rides in the name of tourism.
Bred to Entertain report
Read our 2026 assessment capturing 15 years of Thailand’s elephant tourism industry to find out more.
Donate to protect elephants
Will you donate to protect elephants from the clutches of tourism?
No more elephant rides at Bali Zoo!
This huge win for elephants comes after years of tireless advocacy and on‑the‑ground engagement made possible by you.
Sign up
Join thousands of animal lovers fighting to protect wildlife and give farmed animals good lives. Sign up now to receive emails with all the ways you can help.
Sign up