Perth Zoo it is disappointed an online petition has questioned its elephant care and training methods, saying staff are 100 per cent dedicated to the welfare of the animals.

The change.org petition, started by Secret Harbour resident Jodi Benfield, calls for an end to elephant art, prompted by social media adverts offering Perth Zoo elephant paintings as a unique Christmas gift.

Play Video Red pandas and a tree kangaroo all celebrate their first birthdays. The West Australian Video Red pandas and a tree kangaroo all celebrate their first birthdays.

Her petition says while she appreciates the zookeepers care for their animals, she did not see how asking elephants to show unnatural behaviour, such as painting, is enriching for them.

“We ask that you reassess the environmental, and behavioural, enrichment opportunities given to your Asian elephants. In doing so, we ask that you no longer offer ‘ele art’, be it as a gift, or part of an event package,” the petition reads.

Almost 500 people have backed the call in the past two days.

Camera Icon Beloved long-term resident Tricia at a zoo painting session.

Perth Zoo spokeswoman Danielle Henry said the elephants were not forced into any activities, and the painting was an extension of the drawing and scribbling behaviours elephants conducted in the wild.

“They enjoy it, they thrive on it, they choose to do it,” she said.

Ms Henry said all proceeds of the paintings went directly to conservation projects, including a wild elephant protection program in Sumatra.

Our animal welfare charter is world-leading. There are animals out there that need help, not the ones at Perth Zoo.

She said it was disappointing the zoo’s conservation and care practices were being questioned because its elephant keepers were dedicated and spent more time with the creatures than with their friends and families.

“It’s disappointing. We’re one of the world’s leading conservation zoos — anyone can see how much we love and care for them,” she said.

“Our animal welfare charter is world-leading. There are animals out there that need help, not the ones at Perth Zoo.”

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Ms Henry said claims in the petition that bullhooks were used were not true — the zoo used elephant guides with no hooks, whistles and voice commands.

“Anyone can come in and see our elephants and see how we work with them. We have nothing to hide,” she said.