Its president, Mohamed Akmal Dahalan, said the trasfer of the three elephants – Dara, Amoi and Kelat – to Tennoji Zoo is not a business transaction, contrary to allegations by some parties.

“The term ‘B2B’ (business to business) does not reflect the true spirit of this agreement,” he said in a statement today.

Akmal said the international cooperation programme complies with the natural resources and environmental sustainability ministry’s Malaysian zoo standard guidelines, and does not involve payments to the zoo and local council, and non-compliance with existing laws, as alleged on social media.

He also said the agreement had undergone approval processes in accordance with the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.

“Before the elephants were sent, MPT, Taiping Zoo, and the wildlife and national parks departmebt (Perhilitan) visited Osaka from Oct 6 to 10, 2022, to assess the facilities and identify the improvements needed by Tennoji Zoo.

“MPT also wants to make it clear that animal welfare and well-being have always been our top priority in this programme.

“The Taiping Zoo will remain in regular contact with Tennoji Zoo and other relevant agencies to obtain the latest updates,” he said.

Local media had reported that a group of activists and NGOs had urged the government to bring the elephants back to Malaysia, alleging that they are suffering and ill-suited to the zoo’s environment.