Bali's Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) has warned it may revoke the permits of conservation centers that fail to comply with regulations halting elephant riding programs.
BKSDA Bali Head Ratna Hendratmoko said in Denpasar on Thursday that Bali had 13 conservation centers as of the end of 2025, five of which manage a total of 83 Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus).
He said the agency has instructed all conservation centers to comply with the directive and ensure animal welfare standards are upheld across the province.
"We are committed to continuously supervising implementation of the directive and reminding conservation centers to fully comply," he added.
The warning follows the issuance of Circular No. 6 of 2025, dated December 18, 2025, by the Ministry of Forestry's Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation, which formally ended elephant riding activities at conservation centers nationwide.
The circular reflects the government's effort to strengthen ethical wildlife management and conservation-based practices, and encouraged to replace riding attractions with educational activities that promote conservation and animal welfare principles.
Editor : Dewa Ketut Sudiarta Wiguna
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