JAKARTA: Indonesia has banned elephant rides, becoming the first Asian nation to outlaw the popular tourist activity on animal welfare grounds.

Indonesia, home to the critically endangered Sumatran elephant and the endangered Bornean elephant, first announced the nationwide ban in December, with authorities gradually monitoring compliance since the start of this year.

The move followed widespread calls to ban elephant rides, with many Indonesians now using social media to alert authorities on sites still offering such activities especially in Bali, the country’s most popular holiday island.

All of Bali’s conservation sites, including Bali Zoo and Mason Elephant Park & Lodge, have officially banned elephant rides by the end of January, according to the Bali Natural Resources Conservation Agency.

“Based on our most recent monitoring, all five of the conservation sites in Bali have complied and are no longer offering elephant rides for visitors,” Ratna Hendratmoko, who heads the agency, told Arab News on Tuesday.

Elephant rides were a popular tourist attraction in Bali, which last year welcomed nearly 7 million foreign visitors.

“There was demand from visitors, tourists, who are enthusiastic and attracted to elephant rides, even if it’s just for 10 to 15 minutes.

“But maybe for them, it’s an opportunity to show off on social media, showing that they’re doing something that they think it’s cool, something that not many others can do,” Hendratmoko said.

“I’m thankful to online friends who have been raising their concerns and reminding us to continue our monitoring. We are giving our best to do our job.” 

Indonesian authorities are urging conservation sites to prioritize animal welfare, offer educational activities for visitors and shift to “innovative and non-exploitative” attractions, such as wildlife observation without direct physical contact.

In November, an investigation by the rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, showed that elephants in Bali are routinely chained and beaten with sharp bullhooks to force them to obey for tourist rides.

The action that followed “puts Indonesia at the forefront of elephant welfare,” and makes it “the first country in Asia to ban elephant rides nationwide,” said Jason Baker, president of PETA in Asia.

The ban is “a huge step toward improving the treatment of elephants,” PETA Asia said in a statement to Arab News.

“We are optimistic that the new guidelines will provide a framework for phasing out all harmful practices in the future.”

Elephant camps are also major tourist attractions in other parts of Asia, with Thailand being their largest promoter.

“We urge the Thai government and other countries, including Nepal, Laos and India to follow Indonesia’s lead,” PETA said.