By: Zaki Salleh
TAIPING: Public concern over three Malaysian elephants currently housed at a zoo in Japan has prompted a response from the Majlis Perbandaran Taiping (MPT).
The clarification comes following the submission of a memorandum relating to the ‘Bring Back DAK’ demand, led by the Secretariat Bahana Kesetiaan Negara (SBKN) chairman Kalai Vanar.
In a statement, MPT said it respects the right of all parties to express their views in an orderly manner in accordance with existing laws.
According to MPT, the three elephants Dara, Amoi and Kelat (DAK) are currently placed at Zoo Tennoji under an international cooperation agreement with Zoo Taiping & Night Safari.
The agreement, signed in 2022, spans 25 years and is a common practice in global zoo management.
Based on the latest reports from the Japanese zoo, all three elephants are in good health and are being closely monitored by veterinary experts and experienced animal keepers.
Monitoring covers physical health, diet, behaviour and habitat environment to ensure optimal animal welfare.
Facilities provided also include adequate habitat space and enrichment programmes that support the elephants’ natural behaviour.
Latest records show consistent weight gain among the three animals, reflecting good care standards.
Kelat recorded an increase of 440 kilogrammes, while Dara and Amoi gained 215 kilogrammes and 200 kilogrammes respectively.
The development indicates that the animals’ welfare is at a high level and complies with international standards for captive wildlife management.
As a measure of transparency, MPT will provide weekly reports to the public based on official information from Zoo Tennoji.
At the same time, MPT will review the contents of the memorandum received before issuing an official response in the near future.
