The transfer of three Malaysian elephants to Japan has sparked widespread debate over the past few months. While the move was described as a conservation partnership between two zoos, campaigners have questioned whether the transfer complied with Malaysian law, raised concerns about the elephants' welfare, and called for greater transparency over how the decision was made. In this conversation, we unpack the key issues surrounding the case, from the legal questions and ongoing investigations, to what experts say about the elephants' condition and why many believe this matters beyond just these three animals. Joining us to do that are Rajesh Nagarajan, animal rights lawyer and President of Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam Malaysia (PEKA Malaysia); Vimala Raghavan, Secretary-General of PEKA Malaysia; Datin Shereen Yunos, animal rights activist and member of Kembalikan DAK and representing the Selamatkan DAK coalition; and Dr William Keith Lindsay, a wildlife ecologist and conservation biologist. 

<p>The transfer of three Malaysian elephants to Japan has sparked widespread debate over the past few months. While the move was described as a conservation partnership between two zoos, campaigners have questioned whether the transfer complied with Malaysian law, raised concerns about the elephants' welfare, and called for greater transparency over how the decision was made. In this conversation, we unpack the key issues surrounding the case, from the legal questions and ongoing investigations, to what experts say about the elephants' condition and why many believe this matters beyond just these three animals. Joining us to do that are Rajesh Nagarajan, animal rights lawyer and President of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/pekamalaysia">Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam Malaysia</a> (PEKA Malaysia); Vimala Raghavan, Secretary-General of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/PEKAMALAYSIA/">PEKA Malaysia</a>; Datin Shereen Yunos, animal rights activist and member of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574388474578">Kembalikan DAK</a> and representing the Selamatkan DAK coalition; and Dr William Keith Lindsay, a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/William-Lindsay-2">wildlife ecologist</a> and conservation biologist.&nbsp;</p>

Climate change, ferocious weather and ‘the haze’ are now part our everyday lives. How are our lifestyles connected to them, and what can we do about it? What does the economy have to do with it? Earth Matters engages with activists and experts to explore our changing relationship with the planet that we only borrow from our children.