One of Bali’s leading tourist attractions, Mason Elephant Park, has announced that it will be stopping elephant riding.
The park is home to 27 critically endangered Sumatra elephants and has been the destination of choice for everyone from Kim Kardashian to Steve Irwin, Julia Roberts, and David Beckham.
Speaking to reporters, the Head of the Bali Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), Ratna Hendratmoko, said that the Bali BKSDA is working to strengthen its efforts to monitor the implementation of the Circular Letter of the Director General of KSDAE Number 6 of 2025 concerning the Termination of Elephant Riding Demonstrations at Conservation Institutions.
Answering media questions at Mason Elephant Park, Hendratmoko shared, “The Bali BKSDA is committed to ensuring that every elephant in its conservation facilities is treated in accordance with animal welfare principles.”
“We reiterate that all conservation institutions are required to stop elephant riding and begin transforming themselves into more educational, innovative, and ethical wildlife tourism.”
He confirmed that Mason Elephant Park has suspended elephant rides for tourists as of 25th January 2026.
Hendratmoko added, “The Bali KSDA Office expresses its appreciation to all parties, including conservationists, animal observers, academics, and social media activists who have supported the implementation and enforcement of this policy.”
“Public support is a positive energy for us to continue to maintain the dignity of animals and ensure that elephant management in Bali is carried out according to conservation principles.”
Mason Elephant Park will continue its wide range of elephant tourism programs, including hand-feeding and encounters, observation walks, elephant free-roam viewing, and more. Elephant washing remains on the program.
Mason Elephant Park is not the only facility to have stopped elephant riding in the last month. Bali Zoo was the first on the island to make the move, as of the 1st January. The zoo announced, “A step forward for elephant welfare. Effective 1 January 2026, Bali Zoo has discontinued elephant riding.”
“This decision supports our ongoing commitment to animal welfare, giving our elephants more time for natural behaviours, social interaction, and enrichment. Thank you for respecting this update.”
Bali Zoo’s Head of Public Relations, Emma Kristiana Chandra, shared, “We made this decision to support better elephant management and ensure continuous improvement in animal handling standards.” Bali Zoo is home to fourteen critically endangered Sumatran elephants, ten females and four males, including star personality baby Kama.”
Bali Zoo’s decision to stop elephant riding was met with praise from many regular visitors to Bali who had concerns for the conditions of the elephants at the facility. Many in the comments called for other animal interaction programs at the zoo to also be canceled, including the controversial breakfast with orangutans.
The decision to move away from elephant riding as a tourism model has been praised by animal welfare specialists and tourists across Bali and around the world. Many elephant tourism facilities in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Nepal moved away from these kinds of programs years ago and have proven that observation-based elephant tourism programs can be just as profitable, and often even more enjoyable for tourists.
Facilities like Following Giants in Thailand and Elephant Valley Project in Cambodia are amongst the facilities that have successfully made the transition.
Conservationists in Bali are hopeful that the move away from elephant riding will help promote even better welfare conditions for the elephants and help introduce more of an educational element to tourism programs.
Speaking to reporters last week, Inda Trimafo Yudha, Chairperson of the Indonesian Recreational Park Business Association (PUTRI) Bali, shared, “The essence of conservation remains animal protection. Tourism should only support sustainability, not the other way around.”
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