Cantika.com, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has officially banned tourist activities involving tourists riding elephants. This policy applies to all conservation institutions and wildlife tourism destinations in Indonesia, including popular areas like Bali.
The ban was implemented through Circular Letter Number SE.6 of 2025, issued by the Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE) under the Ministry of Forestry. This regulation came into effect on December 18, 2025, and applies nationwide.
Through this policy, all conservation institution managers and tourist attractions that own elephants are required to stop offering elephant riding attractions to visitors.
Applies to all tourist destinations and conservation institutions
This ban covers all places that currently offer elephant riding experiences, whether for tourism or entertainment purposes. The government has emphasized that such activities are no longer permitted in zoos, safari parks, conservation centers, or other tourist facilities.
Monitoring the implementation of this regulation is carried out by the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) in various regions. If conservation institutions continue to operate such attractions, the government can impose administrative sanctions in stages.
Sanctions range from warning letters to revocation of operating permits for operators who fail to comply with the policy.
Indonesia becomes first Asian country to ban
With the implementation of this elephant riding ban, Indonesia becomes one of the first countries in Asia to ban elephant riding attractions nationwide.
The ban was announced in late 2025, and its implementation began to be monitored gradually starting in early 2026. Several tourist destinations that previously offered elephant riding experiences have also begun to discontinue these activities.
In Bali, for example, several tourist attractions with elephants have stopped riding services for tourists following government directives.
Wildlife tourism shifts to an educational concept
In addition to discontinuing elephant riding attractions, the government is also encouraging conservation institutions to develop more educational wildlife tourism concepts.
Destination managers are expected to redirect tourism experiences to include animal observation, conservation education, and an understanding of natural elephant behavior without direct physical interaction.
This approach aims to ensure that wildlife tourism continues to provide an engaging experience for visitors while strengthening its educational and conservation functions.
With the new regulations, tourist attractions involving elephants in Indonesia are now geared towards experiences that focus more on observing and learning about wildlife.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2091421/indonesia-bans-elephant-riding-at-tourist-attraction