Indonesia Bans Elephant Rides in Landmark Animal Welfare Decision

What the Ban Means

The nationwide ban follows a formal government directive requiring all conservation areas and tourist facilities in Indonesia to permanently stop offering elephant rides. Instead, operators must transition toward visitor experiences that focus on observation, education, and conservation rather than physical interaction.

The order was issued by Indonesia’s Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Protection and applies across the country. Enforcement is being overseen by regional conservation agencies, including the Bali Natural Resources Conservation Agency. Facilities that fail to comply risk losing their operating licenses entirely.

The impact is already visible. Mason Elephant Park in Bali, one of the last remaining attractions offering elephant rides, ended the practice earlier this year after receiving official warnings. The park has since begun shifting toward experiences that allow elephants to move freely and display natural behaviors without being ridden, restrained, or used for entertainment.

Together, these changes signal a clear shift in how wildlife tourism is regulated in Indonesia, placing animal welfare ahead of commercial demand and setting a precedent for other destinations in the region.

Why Elephant Riding Is Harmful

Animal welfare experts and scientists have long agreed that elephant riding causes significant physical and psychological harm.

In order to make elephants accept riders, many facilities rely on painful and stressful training techniques, including isolation, chaining, and forceful handling. These practices restrict elephants’ natural movement, interfere with social bonding, and can lead to chronic injuries and trauma over time.

By ending elephant riding, facilities are able to eliminate these harmful training methods and allow elephants to engage in behaviors essential to their well-being, such as grazing, socializing, bathing, and resting. Visitors can still experience elephants, but in a way that prioritizes the animals’ health rather than human entertainment.

A Victory Years in the Making

Animal protection organizations have spent years documenting the conditions behind elephant rides and advocating for change. Groups such as World Animal Protection and PETA have consistently highlighted how widespread the issue was, even at venues marketed as ethical.

Suzanne Milthorpe, Head of Campaigns at ANZ, called the ban a turning point for the global tourism industry: “We congratulate the Indonesian government on taking this pioneering step toward protecting the dignity of wild animals. Ending elephant riding sends a clear message that tourism can no longer come at the expense of animal welfare.”

She noted that the decision followed years of sustained advocacy, including tens of thousands of public signatures urging facilities like Mason Elephant Park to change their practices.

For travelers, the ban does not mean fewer ways to experience wildlife. Instead, it reflects a broader shift toward responsible tourism. Visitors can still see elephants in Indonesia, but the focus is now on observation, education, and conservation rather than physical interaction. Ethical sanctuaries, guided observation experiences, and conservation programs allow travelers to connect with wildlife while respecting animals’ natural needs.

As awareness grows, many travelers are increasingly choosing destinations and activities that align with these values, and Indonesia’s decision reflects that global change in expectations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is elephant riding completely banned in Indonesia?

Yes. The ban applies nationwide to all conservation areas and tourist facilities. Elephant rides are no longer permitted.

What happens if a facility ignores the ban?

Facilities that fail to comply risk losing their operating permits and may be forced to shut down.

Can tourists still see elephants in Indonesia?

Yes. Visitors can still observe elephants in ethical settings that focus on natural behavior, conservation, and education rather than riding.

Why was this decision made now?

The ban follows years of documented evidence, public pressure, and advocacy by animal welfare organizations highlighting the harm caused by elephant riding.

Does this affect other wildlife tourism activities?

While this decision specifically targets elephant rides, it reflects a broader shift toward more responsible wildlife tourism practices across the region.