WILDLIFE as tools of diplomacy?
China is renowned for offering as gifts (or loan) its panda bears to foreign zoos, often to build diplomatic bridges with those countries. What better way to capture hearts than with cute, cuddly pandas?
It would seem that Malaysia is also following this route of wildlife diplomacy following news of elephants being transferred from a local wildlife sanctuary to a zoo in Japan.
A wildlife activist known only as Nur Zulaikha has been busy championing the return of a trio of pachyderms currently held in captivity in Tennoji Zoo @ Osaka, Japan since their arrival on March 11 from Zoo Taiping and Night Safari as part of a 10-year conservation plan to breed elephants through international cooperation and technology exchange.
Appealing to animal lovers to sign a petition, she thanked those who have help the appeal reach 110,000 signatures. The next goal was to hit 120,000 signatures. The petition highlighted the concerns of animal lovers when it stated:
“We are calling for urgent public attention regarding the transfer of three Malaysian elephants – Dara, Amoi and Kelat – who reportedly departed from Malaysia on March 10, 2026 for Tennoji Zoo.
Editor’s Note: Dara is 14-year-old female; Amoi is a nine-year-old female while Kelat is a 20-year-old male.
“These elephants were previously under the care of the National Elephant Conservation Centre in Kuala Gandah (Pahang), a well-known elephant conservation facility dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and protection of elephants in Malaysia.
“Many Malaysians are deeply saddened that elephants from a conservation centre have now been sent overseas to live in a zoo environment.”
The aim of the petition was outlined as:
We strongly urge both governments to facilitate the safe return of Dara, Amoi and Kelat back to Malaysia where they can continue to live in a conservation environment more suitable to their natural needs.
Furthermore, we call on the Malaysian government to re-consider and halt any future programmes involving the exchange, gifting or transfer of Malaysian wildlife to foreign zoos, particularly when such animals originate from rescue or conservation centres.”
The post has generated 1.5K likes, 107 comments and 207 shares at time of writing, denoting that this issue has touched a raw nerve among local animal lovers.
One disgruntled commenter drew comparisons to the Japanese occupation during World War II, claiming now the elephants were being tortured instead of humans. These elephants were a natural heritage that deserves to be protected was his heartfelt plea.
Concerns for the welfare of these elephants appear genuine as videos purportedly showing one of the animals under great duress due to being separated from the others.
However, one observer was somewhat disappointed by the numbers who have signed the petition thus far, wondering where were the millions of concerned citizens?
But the original poster noted the number of signatories was encouraging and urged others to keep spreading the news.
It was also urged that Malaysians to not give up the good fight to bring the three pachyderms home.
Few issues this petition highlights.
Firstly, rightly or wrongly, Malaysian wildlife is being used to build better relations with foreign governments. Of that, there is no doubt. But should rescued animals placed in sanctuaries be used for this purpose?
Secondly, many commenters feel that these local elephants are wildlife heritage that should be protected and not be exported abroad. Instead, every effort should be made for their conservation.
Thirdly, there are valid concerns that these elephants are not suitably cared for in their new homes – not least in the restrictive environs of a zoo in a land whose climate differs significantly from Malaysia.
If you feel strongly enough about this issue, please do sign the petition. – April 24, 2026
