A new investigation has alleged that tourists in Bali are being directed to animal spectacles, including cockfights, that involve severe animal cruelty.
Video footage released by PETA Asia and shared exclusively with the Daily Mail shows roosters fighting in an arena before cheering crowds. The footage, described by the organisation as its first-ever investigation into cockfighting in Bali, alleges that birds were fitted with sharp implements on their feet and that handlers confined animals together under a basket when fights did not end quickly.
The footage depicts hundreds of spectators surrounding a dusty ring as two birds fight and one lies motionless. A man steps into the centre to determine a winner while the crowd observes. PETA Asia says the razors attached to birds’ feet and the use of restraint until a bird wounds or kills its opponent are part of tactics to force rapid, violent confrontations that draw paying audiences.
The report also states that Bali taxi drivers and other local operators have been promoting such spectacles to tourists who may be unaware of the events’ violent nature. The investigation described cockfighting as one among a broader set of animal-based attractions—ranging from donkey rides to staged photo opportunities—that welfare groups say are increasingly marketed to holidaymakers.
PETA Asia, an animal welfare organisation, provided the video to the Daily Mail and characterised the footage as evidence of systematic cruelty used to generate income from visitors. The group called attention to the role of intermediaries who guide tourists to such events and urged greater scrutiny of animal-based tourism offerings.
Local responses and any official investigations into the incidents shown in the footage were not included in the material released with the Daily Mail article. The legal status of cockfighting and other animal attractions can vary by jurisdiction and local enforcement.
Travel industry commentators and animal welfare advocates have in recent years urged travellers to research attractions and avoid activities that exploit animals. They say transparency from tour operators and clearer information at popular tourist sites may reduce demand for spectacles that involve harm to animals.
The Daily Mail report places the PETA Asia footage in the context of rising international travel and the expansion of commercial operations that rely on animal performances and rides. It documents an instance in which an entertainment draw for visitors, the report alleges, is directly linked to violent treatment of animals in front of paying audiences.
Independent verification of every claim in the footage and the extent of promotion by local drivers beyond the instances documented by PETA Asia was not provided in the released material. Travel experts recommend that tourists seek out accredited wildlife experiences and consult local regulations and reputable organisations when planning activities involving animals.