Amid criticism, Japanese zoo shares M'sian elephants' latest 'happy' photos

Amid criticism, Japanese zoo shares M'sian elephants' latest 'happy' photos


Published: May 6, 2026 12:48 PM
Updated: 3:55 PM


The Tennoji Zoo in Osaka, Japan, has released a series of photos showing three Malaysian elephants - Kelat, Dara, and Amoi - supposedly having a good life under its care.

This was part of a lengthy blog post published on its website several days ago amid growing concerns among Malaysians over the tuskers' well-being.

Originally in Japanese, the article was written to introduce Kelat, Dara, and Amoi, who were reportedly transferred to the Tennoji Zoo from the Taiping Zoo and Night Safari on March 11.

"My impression of Kelat over the past month is that he's 'assertive, but also a bit of a spoiled child'.

"Apparently, male Asian elephants of this age tend to live alone rather than in herds. So, at Tennoji Zoo's elephant enclosure, we have an 'elephant house' where male elephants can live alone," it said.

However, the zoo said that it decided to move the 20-year-old bull into an enclosure that was dedicated to Dara and Amoi - both female elephants - as Kelat was lonely.

The move was taken after a discussion with a Malaysian staff member, it added.

"From now on, we'll be observing all three. Sometimes they'll be together, and sometimes they'll be spending time separately."

The zoo described Dara, 14, as a "cautious and reliable" elephant that is observant and always watching their actions, while also taking care of the younger Amoi, who is "innocent and adventurous in spirit".

‘Closer to Malaysian staff’

Amoi, nine, was also observed to be closer to the Malaysian staff member than anyone else.

"We hope that Dara will take her time and relax at her own pace, and that she will become more accustomed to life in Japan and to our Japanese staff," it added.

In one of the photos, the pachyderm trio were seen lying on the ground close to each other, appearing to be asleep.

According to Tennoji Zoo, this happened on the first night the three elephants spent together in an enclosure and signalled their supposed feeling of safety.

"Elephants are very wary animals and often sleep standing up. It is said that they only lie down and sleep for short periods when they feel safe," it said.

The zoo conceded that it still has a lot to learn about the elephants, and its new dedicated team is working hard to keep up.

The zoo, however, did not directly address the concerns raised about its track record in elephant care, where critics have pointed to the case of Hiroko, an Asian elephant who reportedly lived alone for years before dying in 2018, purportedly due to an untreated chronic foot condition.

Last week, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry backed calls for the elephants to be returned to Malaysia.

According to its minister, Arthur Joseph Kurup, there are legitimate grounds behind animal welfare groups’ demand that the elephants be brought home.