Activist To Run From Taiping To Parliament For Elephants Dara, Amoi, Kelat

on

Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter, or Telegram and WhatsApp channels for the latest stories and updates.

Activist Neow Choo Seong will run from Taiping, Perak to Parliament to hand over a memorandum urging elected representatives to discuss the issue of Malaysian elephants in zoos in Japan.

Neow, also the Coordinator of the Solidarity Secretariat for Dara, Amoi, and Kelat (DAK), said the 300km run was to draw attention to the issue of Malaysian elephants that were sent to Tennoji Zoo, Osaka.

Neow shared that they tried submitting the memorandum to Taiping Zoo but it was rejected, so they decided to send it to the Dewan Rakyat instead.

Starting on 17 June, the run has stops in Ipoh, Kampar, Tapah, Tanjung Malim, and Sungai Buloh. Neow will also be holding sessions and dialogues on the elephant issue at various locations to raise public awareness. He plans to arrive at Parliament before the Dewan Rakyat convenes on 22 June.

The public is welcome to join the run, either following the same route or from a specific location. Neow said several NGOs expressed interest in participating in the campaign, including the final run from Taman Tasik Perdana to Parliament.

He hopes a caring member of Parliament will support the cause.

On 11 March, the three elephants Dara, Amoi, and Kelat arrived safely at Tennoji Zoo and have been on public display since 21 April. It was an initiative between both Taiping and Tennoji Zoos. Perak Housing and Local Government Exco, Sandrea Ng Shy Ching, have said that the shipment of the three elephants was not a commercial transaction.

While the elephants have been cared for by trained Malaysian mahouts, netizens weren’t convinced and voiced concerns for the elephants’ welfare.

READ MORE: Don’t Send Them Away: Malaysians Question Welfare Of 3 Elephants Allegedly Headed To Japan

READ MORE: Perak Exco Assures That Three Elephants Sent To Japan Zoo Will Be Closely Monitored

On 6 May, Tennoji Zoo shared pictures of the three elephants in allegedly good condition, but it wasn’t enough to convince critics.

READ MORE: Calls To Bring Elephants Dara, Amoi, Kelat Home Get Louder – Zoo Taiping Urged To Begin Negotiations

On 15 June, Kelat was temporarily separated from the other elephants after entering musth. Musth is a natural phase that adult male elephants go through periodically, where their testosterone levels spike dramatically, and they become more aggressive and focused on mating.

Taiping Municipal Council president Mohamed Akmal Dahalan said the separation was a routine safety measure in line with zoological practice standards and not due to neglect or abuse.

He shared that Kelat displayed typical signs of musth, including increased activity and weight loss of about 220kg. These factors were consistent with reduced appetite and hormonal fluctuations commonly observed in elephants during musth.

The separation during this period is necessary to ensure the safety of animals, keepers, and visitors. Kelat was reunited with the other two elephants after completing his musth phase.

Dara and Amoi are also reportedly doing well, recording weight gains of 85kg and 60kg, respectively, since May. This indicates stable health and adequate nutrition.

Akmal added that the council continues to regularly receive updates on the elephants’ health, behaviour, and welfare.

Share your thoughts with us via TRP’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Threads.



Activist To Run From Taiping To Parliament For Elephants Dara, Amoi, Kelat
Entertainment Flash Report

Comments

Post a Comment