Minister Calls for Return of Malaysian Elephants from Osaka Zoo Amid Welfare Concerns
Arthur Joseph Kurup urges bringing back three elephants sent to Japan, citing climate concerns and injury to elephant named Kelat
Malaysia's Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Arthur Joseph Kurup has called for three Malaysian elephants sent to Osaka in Japan to be brought back home. Arthur made the call amid concerns that Japan's climate is unsuitable for the elephants and that one of them, Kelat, has suffered an injury.
Last Friday, a group of protesters gathered outside the ministry, urging the government to bring the elephants back. They cited welfare concerns following the relocation last month.
The protest was led by social activist Kalai Vanar, who submitted a memorandum to ministry officials, including deputy secretary general Mas Rizal Mohd Hilmi and Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) deputy director general (conservation) Fakhrul Hatta Musa.
Arthur stressed that the decision to send the elephants to Osaka's Tennoji Zoo was made under an earlier administration, not during his tenure. The elephants were originally from Zoo Taiping and Night Safari in Malaysia.
