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The Asian Elephant
Currently the Asian elephant is listed as a critically
endangered species, with less than 40,000 wild elephants in Asia
and a maximum of 1,000 wild elephants in Peninsular Malaysia.
Protecting the Asian elephants help safeguard thousands of other
species within its habitat. The elephant creates vital natural
pathways by knocking over trees, allowing smaller species to
feed, as well as dispersing plant seeds in its dung.
However,
due to habitat loss, elephants are forced to hunt for food in
convert areas surrounding forest such as plantations, where the
raid crops on a massive scale. This is why the translocation
team has such a dire need to move these elephants, to prevent
them from otherwise being shot by farmers, or simply dying of
starvation.
Time Activity
Visitor Timetable at the Center
Visitors are encouraged to participate in activities from 1.00pm
onwards.
1.00-2.00pm: VIDEO SHOW: Visitors may view a video on issues
surrounding wild elephants, diminishing habitat and
translocation
2.15pm ELEPHANT
FEEDING & RIDERS: Visitors are invited to ride and
elephant around the centre. Visitors can participate in feeding
the elephants, their dinner of banana, carrot, papaya etc.
2.30pm BATHING: Visitors can join the elephants as they bathe
and swim in the river under staff supervision.
3.45pm VIDEO SHOW: Visitors may view a video on issues
surrounding wild elephants, diminishing habitat and
translocation
Feedback and Comment who visit the
place with Endemic Guides.
What Wendy's (Australian) commented about us. (@
2006)Finding a tour to Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary
near Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, proved a little difficult .The travel agent
could find nothing so I resorted to the internet, where I too was left none
the wiser. I did however find information about the sanctuary and was lucky
enough to notice a photograph credited to Endemic Guides.
I contacted them and booked a tour through internet.
Our guide Lee arrived punctually in an air conditioned car
and drove us to
the hills about 1 ˝ hours from KL. He was happy to stop should we need to,
and at Karak Village he stopped and bought us their local specialty, custard
tarts, delicious! The next stop was at a roadside stall to purchase local
fruit. The rambutans were a treat and after our visit to the sanctuary we
called them “baby elephant” fruit because of their long spiky hair. We also
stopped to take a closer look at a tree full of hornbills, 14 in total.
Our first official tour stop was Deerland hidden away in the countryside
near Kuala Gandah. Here we were able to hand feed deer, monkeys, ostriches
and mouse deer. We were privileged to meet Hitam (black) the baby sun bear
and to be able to hand feed and pat him. His large father Muda, enjoyed the
milk and nuts we were given to hand feed him and while he was engrossed in
the consumption of food and milk we were able to rub his big bear belly.
The manager and keepers were friendly and informative and they obviously
cared greatly for their animals.
From Deerland we continued on to Kuala Gandah, the reason for our holiday in
Malaysia. We were not disappointed. We watched a video about elephant
relocation, followed by a tasty local lunch cooked fresh at the café. Drinks
and choice of menu were included in the tour price. Lee looked after us
considerately but not intrusively and he allowed us all the time we wanted.
We fed the older elephants by hand, rode the larger one on land and then in
the river, before being ceremoniously dumped in the water
when he lay down on command. The baby elephants were so adorable! Wiry black
hair about 5cm long covered them completely and they were tubby and curious.
I could have watched them forever. One thought my skirt looked worthy of
further investigation and I have a photograph of me standing with my arm
around his neck and his trunk holding my skirt.
Lee kindly took photographs all day with his own camera and we now have them
on disc as a wonderful memory. After a magical day with the wildlife of
Malaysia we headed back to KL. The next day I booked to take the same tour a
second time because Ihad enjoyed it so much. We were lucky enough to have
Lee as our guide again, and every minute of the tour was just as wonderful
as the first one.
Thank you Endemic Guides!
More Comment,
Photos and Feedback - Must See ! !
Booking & enquiry of this
adventure !
Book Now !
More Info, Picture and
Feedback on >> Page 3...
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