Taiping council denies Osaka zoo elephants abused, says head swaying and musth normal in captivity

The Taiping Municipal Council (MPT) has firmly denied accusations that the three Malaysian elephants transferred to Japan’s Tennoji Zoo in Osaka are suffering abuse or neglect. Mohamed Akmal Dahalan, MPT president, stated that the elephants, Dara, Amoi, and Kelat, are healthy and have adapted well to their new environment, having free access to the entire enclosure since their reunion on September 20.

He clarified that behaviours such as head swaying and frequent musth episodes are normal for captive elephants, attributing head swaying to anticipation of food and musth to the high-nutrient diet. These behaviours are considered typical for elephants under zoo care, according to MPT. The elephants were transferred to Osaka under a 25-year cooperation agreement in March, a move that has sparked controversy among animal welfare groups and the public.

MPT maintains that the arrangement is non-commercial and that the elephants remain Taiping Zoo's property.

Brief written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.