KUANTAN: An elephant handler has expressed disappointment over claims that three Malaysian elephants sent to a Japanese zoo are suffering in their new environment.
Mahout Suhaimi Ibrahim, who spent a month at Tennoji Zoo with the elephants named Dara, Amoi, and Kelat, said the animals were healthy and comfortable.
The 41-year-old from the Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre was tasked with accompanying the elephants to Japan and training eight local handlers. He was assisted by two other personnel from the centre.
Suhaimi said during his time there, the elephants were well fed and had adjusted to their new handlers.
He said that all three had gained weight since arriving in Japan, indicating they were not under stress.
"Many people choose to believe false claims that the elephants are in poor health. It is strange that people believe these baseless claims and sad that they are accusing us of spreading them.
"There are many defamatory claims being made on social media," he said when contacted.
Suhaimi, a veteran handler of 20 years, returned to Malaysia with his colleagues late last night.
"I appeal to animal lovers not to easily believe false claims about Dara, Amoi, and Kelat. They are healthy and comfortable," he said.
Separately, centre head Che Ku Mohd Zamzuri Chik Wan Ab Rahman said they would continue to monitor the elephants through daily technical reports from the Japanese handlers.
KUANTAN: An elephant handler has expressed disappointment over claims that three Malaysian elephants sent to a Japanese zoo are suffering in their new environment. Mahout Suhaimi Ibrahim, who spen...