KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 — A viral social media post showing a visibly underweight Malayan tiger in a Japanese zoo has stirred concern among Malaysians, intensifying debate over the welfare of Malaysian wildlife sent overseas.

The clip, circulating widely on Threads, showed the tiger pacing slowly inside its enclosure before sitting and lying down on a patch of grass, with its ribs and hip bones clearly visible.

Alongside the video, a user identified as gazelle.64528627 wrote: “Just look at the tigers in Japanese zoos…I can’t bear to watch. They really don’t know how to take care of animals. Is DAK going to end up like this too? So cruel, extremely cruel… I hope they get what they deserve!”

The post quickly went viral, with users sharing comparisons between animals in Japanese and Malaysian zoos and questioning welfare standards. Some described the tiger’s condition as distressing, while others speculated about illness or environmental stress factors.

The discussion has since expanded to the welfare of three Malaysian elephants — Dara, Amoi and Kelat (DAK) — currently housed at Tennoji Zoo in Osaka, Japan.

According to a report published in The Star yesterday, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup has said the elephants should be brought back to Malaysia and relocated to the Taiping Zoo and Night Safari.

He said the proposal to repatriate the animals has gained public attention amid concerns over their condition, including claims that Japan’s climate may be unsuitable and reports alleging that Kelat had sustained injuries, based on a memorandum submitted to the ministry following a recent protest.

The memorandum was presented by about 20 individuals led by social activist Datuk Dr Kalai Vanar during a gathering outside the ministry’s office on April 24, calling for the elephants’ return.

Kurup said the ministry views the proposal as a “significant and reasonable” option in the public interest, and confirmed that the memorandum has been forwarded to the Taiping Municipal Council and Zoo Taiping & Night Safari for further action.

The issue has further fuelled online debate over animal welfare standards abroad, with many Malaysians questioning whether wildlife transfers are adequately monitored and whether the animals’ long-term wellbeing is being safeguarded.

Meanwhile, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, in a Facebook post yesterday evening, also urged Zoo Taiping & Night Safari to bring the elephants back to Malaysia and relocate them to the National Elephant Conservation Centre in Kuala Gandah, Temerloh.

Wan Rosdy said he was closely monitoring concerns raised by the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, NGOs and members of the public, stressing that the animals form part of Malaysia’s biodiversity heritage.

He said the matter should not be taken lightly and called for the elephants’ immediate return, arguing that Kuala Gandah offers a more suitable environment for their long-term welfare, including space, social interaction and psychological well-being.

The three elephants were originally sent to Japan following discussions between Zoo Taiping & Night Safari, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) and Tennoji Zoo that began in 2022.

Perak authorities had previously said the relocation formed part of a bilateral cooperation and animal exchange programme, formalised through a memorandum of understanding between the institutions involved.

State officials had also assured that the elephants’ welfare would be monitored, with zoo representatives expected to conduct follow-up visits to assess their condition after relocation.

However, public concern over the transfer had already emerged earlier, including an online petition opposing the move that attracted tens of thousands of signatures.

Elusive nightingale ‘doing well’ at Northward Hill, Kent, but experts cite concerns around loss of habitat

The dawn chorus at RSPB Northward Hill in Kent is a riot of sound: the melodic robin, the two-tone cuckoo, the whitethroat’s scratchy warble. Even the garbling geese and mooing cows from the neighbouring Thames marshes add to the symphony.

But in late April one energetic singer hogs the limelight. For a few weeks after arriving from West Africa, the nightingale spends the night – and early morning – in complex song. As it searches for a mate and marks its territory, its song is at times as sweet and tuneful as a soul singer, at others as frantic as a car alarm.

The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards has unveiled the Sterna People's Choice Award winner for the 2025 competition. Photographer Alison Tuck from the United Kingdom earned top honors for her hilarious portrait of a gannet getting a face full of grass and weeds.

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Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz are reportedly engaged. On April 27, People confirmed the rumors, saying they’d shared the news with “a small circle” and were showing off the ring to friends.

On Monday, April 27, Kravitz was seen in New York City wearing the impressive oval rock on a gold band as she casually strolled down the street. The Batman actress was in a long-sleeve gray shirt and a flowing black skirt, accessorizing with a butter yellow tote, some pendant necklaces, and a baseball cap reading “Boy Next Door.”

The newly affianced couple has been fairly private about their relationship, aside from being spotted in Italy more often than the Trevi Fountain. Here’s what we know about their relationship and engagement so far.

How long have Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz been dating?

Rumors that Styles and Kravitz were dating started swirling in August 2025 when they were seen walking arm-in-arm in Rome in a TikTok posted by a fan account.

The couple was seen in Italy multiple times that summer, as well as London and New York. In September, Styles reportedly met the actress and director’s rock star dad, Lenny Kravitz. A source told People, “Over the weekend, Harry even met up with Zoë’s dad over lunch. Everyone looked like they had a great time. She’s also been introducing Harry to friends. This feels more than casual.”

They were still going strong as the new year commenced. Styles announced his Together, Together Tour in January, and another source claimed Kravitz was planning to travel with him.

“They both have busy schedules that don’t always line up,” a source said. “When it makes sense, she may join him on tour.”

A second source added, “They seem very serious and focused on prioritizing time together. They also seem to have created a life together that they both genuinely enjoy.”

What have they said about their relationship?

Neither Kravitz nor Styles has commented on their relationship publicly.

When did they get engaged?

Speculation about an engagement began on April 21 when photos of Styles and Kravitz sharing a kiss in London were published by The Sun. A ring was visible on her left hand. The news was confirmed by People on April 27.

What kind of engagement ring does Zoë Kravitz have?

In an interview with the Daily Mail, a diamond expert speculated, “Zoe’s ring looks to be a ten-carat oval-shaped diamond set in yellow gold. It was probably custom-made and costs around $1 million. It is bezel set, which is popular these days.”

Has Zoë Kravitz been engaged before?

Kravitz was married to actor Karl Glusman for two years, from 2019 to 2021. She began dating actor Channing Tatum soon after, when they worked together on her directorial debut, Blink Twice. The former couple became engaged in October of 2023, but split a year later.

“There was no dramatic falling out between Channing and Zoë,” an insider told Page Six at the time. “They really just grew apart and decided it was best for them to go their separate ways.”

Has Harry Styles been engaged before?

Styles has never been publicly engaged, though he has had some high-profile relationships. Most recently, he was dating actress Taylor Russell. The pair split in 2024. Before Russell, he was involved with Olivia Wilde for two years. Styles has also been linked to Taylor Swift, Kendall Jenner, Emily Ratajkowski, and Camille Rowe.