Healthy, active, and gaining weight: Taiping council says Malaysia’s three elephants envoys living the good life in Japan’s Tennoji Zoo

IPOH, July 3 — Three female elephants, Dara, Amoi and Kelat (DAK), housed at Tennoji Zoo in Japan, continue to show positive progress, with each recording weight gains while remaining healthy and active.

Taiping Municipal Council (MPT) president Mohamed Akmal Dahalan said the latest report received from Tennoji Zoo showed that Kelat had gained 260 kilogrammes, while Dara and Amoi recorded weight increases of 35 kg and 30 kg respectively compared with their previous weights.

“MPT would also like to clarify that the elephants at Tennoji Zoo are provided with a complete and balanced daily diet, prepared according to the species’ nutritional requirements by the animal care team and monitored by veterinary officers,” he said in a statement Friday.

Mohamed Akmal said the elephants’ diet consists of various types of hay as the main source of fibre, in addition to bamboo shoots, fresh grass, cabbage and specially formulated elephant pellets.

He said MPT would continue monitoring the elephants in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) Peninsular Malaysia to ensure their welfare, health and management remain at the highest standard.

“MPT also continues to extend its full cooperation to any relevant authority in any review, investigation or request for information relating to this programme as part of our commitment to transparency and accountability,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said MPT respected the public’s right to express views and concerns regarding the welfare of the elephants, but stressed that any allegations should be based on facts, verified information and professional assessments.

He said this was important to avoid misunderstandings that could undermine the country’s wildlife conservation efforts and the international cooperation that has been established.

The three elephants, now housed at Tennoji Zoo, are under an international cooperation agreement between Tennoji Zoo and Zoo Taiping & Night Safari, represented by MPT, signed on May 19, 2022 and Oct 6, 2022.

The agreement between the two parties is for a period of 25 years. — Bernama