By Zaki Salleh
IPOH – Taiping Municipal Council (MPT) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) have been urged to conduct comprehensive health examinations on three elephants, Dara, Amoi and Kelat (DAK), at Tennoji Zoo in Japan.
The call was made by MCA Youth Information Chief and Barisan Nasional Youth Communications Director, Neow Choo Seong, following concerns over Kelat’s current physical condition, which is alleged to have deteriorated and become increasingly emaciated.
He said an independent veterinary team from Malaysia should be sent to Tennoji Zoo within 14 days to conduct physical examinations on all three elephants.
“The examination should include their body weight, physical condition, skin, eyes, feet and toenails to verify Kelat’s health condition.
“In addition, comprehensive blood tests, cortisol hormone levels and parasite screening should be conducted to assess their overall health, stress levels and possible illnesses,” he said in a statement.
The examination should also assess environmental welfare factors, including the size of the enclosure, flooring conditions, daily diet and the duration of DAK’s separation.
Neow said the examination findings, including reports, video recordings and laboratory results, should be made public for assessment by independent international elephant experts.
He also urged MPT and NRES to present and review the agreement governing DAK’s placement at Tennoji Zoo, particularly clauses relating to their return and the termination of their placement.
“If the examination confirms that there has been a deterioration in their health or neglect of their welfare, NRES must activate the process of bringing DAK back to their original habitat, as previously stated,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Neow said Malaysians were still awaiting developments in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation into Op DAK, which was launched in June.
Previously, four individuals were reportedly detained by the MACC to assist in the investigation, namely a Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) officer, a former zoo director and two company owners.
“Animal welfare cannot be compromised on the grounds of diplomacy and bureaucracy because DAK are a national treasure,” he said.
Three months ago, Neow, through the DAK Solidarity Secretariat, undertook a 290-kilometre solo run from Taiping to Kuala Lumpur to highlight the plight of the elephants.
The six-day run was aimed at voicing concerns over the welfare of Dara, Amoi and Kelat and bringing the matter to Parliament.
