Indonesia has officially banned all elephant rides, marking a significant step forward for animal welfare in the country.

According to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the directive applies to all conservation centers and tourist facilities nationwide. The policy aims to end practices long criticized by animal rights advocates.

Under the new rules:

No more elephant rides
No more chaining for tourism purposes
No more forced interactions such as bathing sessions or staged photo opportunities
The decision follows years of campaigning by animal welfare organizations, who documented the physical strain and psychological trauma elephants often endured in the tourism industry. Critics have long argued that training methods and constant human interaction caused stress and long-term harm to the animals.

Supporters say the ban signals a shift toward more ethical, observation-based tourism that prioritizes conservation over entertainment.

Animal rights groups have welcomed the move, calling it a landmark moment for wildlife protection in Southeast Asia.

The question now is whether other tourism-heavy nations will follow Indonesia’s lead.