Bali’s elephant-riding attractions have begun shutting down after Indonesia’s forestry authorities ordered conservation centres to end the practice, as local officials threaten to revoke the relevant permits for non-compliance.
The directive calls for the centres to stop elephant-riding “performances” and shift towards wildlife tourism that is more educational and ethical, according to a circular by the Ministry of Forestry’s Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation issued last month.
Although not a new law passed by parliament, the circular carries weight because it is enforced through conservation licensing, giving provincial authorities the power to issue warnings and revoke permits if necessary.