The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is investigating the transfer of three Asian elephants—Dara, Amoi and Kelat—from Zoo Taiping, Malaysia, to Tennoji Zoo in Osaka, Japan, amid allegations of financial misconduct linked to the deal [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
The elephants arrived at Tennoji Zoo on March 11, 2026, under a 25-year conservation and research agreement between the two zoos [4]. The probe targets the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), and agents involved in the relocation [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
The investigation began after a complaint was filed on June 18, 2026, by the wildlife rights group Hidup. The group alleged corruption and that payments made by Japan to Malaysia for the transfer—estimated at about RM53 million (US$13 million)—were not properly routed to government accounts, but leaked to private individuals [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Rajesh Nagarajan, a lawyer representing Hidup, said, "We believe payment has been made by Japan to Malaysia, but it did not go to the government's coffers; instead, it went into the pockets of some people. A whistleblower alleged the elephants were sold for US$13 million (RM53 million). It is from a whistleblower, so there is no proof yet. That is why we want the MACC to investigate" [2].
Hidup and another NGO, Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam Malaysia, also questioned how approval was granted for the transfer, suggesting that the elephants may have been captured from the wild rather than bred in captivity [4].
Nagarajan submitted the names of eight individuals to MACC for investigation related to the transactions [4]. MACC said the inquiry is at an early stage and includes possible corruption, misappropriation, abuse of power, and leakage of funds [2, 3, 4, 5]. Officials have urged the public not to speculate during the ongoing probe [4, 5].
The next key update could come after MACC concludes its investigative efforts into the alleged financial leak surrounding the elephant transfer.
