Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary
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Up Close And Personal
The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) established the Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre in 1989. It has been a base for the Elephant Relocation Team, which began the elephant translocation programme in 1974. This base is dedicated to locating, and translocating elephants from areas where their habitats were encroached by plantations or other human development to other suitable habitats throughout the Malaysian Peninsular, such as the National Park (Taman Negara). This Centre aims to promote public awareness of the elephant's plight in Malaysia, and support research into elephant translocation and conservation.~ Edited from Centre brochure.
On 26th April
A small group of us Couchsurfers from Kuala Lumpur made our way to Kuala Gandah. The drive from KL from Gombak toll plaza on the East-West Expressway (Karak) to the Lanchang exit took just under an hour from the Gombak Toll. Upon exiting the Lanchang toll, it was a right turn at the traffic lights and another 20 minute ride through trunk (no pun intended) road all the way to the sanctuary. Road signs were there to guide us all the way.We reached the Sanctuary at about 12 pm, giving us time to rest and have a quick lunch before some of us made a bee line for the video show at 1 pm whilst the rest of us chilled out before proceeding to the feeding area at 2 pm.
It has to be noted though that because the number of slots for visitors who wish to interact with the elephants ie. ride and swim with them in the river IS LIMITED daily, it is advised that one calls the centre in advance to reserve the YELLOW STICKERS given out daily. A total of about 120 is given out every day, and interaction only happens between 2 pm to 4 pm daily (except Fridays at 2.45 pm; video show starts 2 pm then).
EVERYONE, though will have a chance at feeding the elephants
We were advised to call the centre at 0060-9-279 0391 to make reservations prior to arrival.
However, we were also informed that you are NOT GUARANTEED all persons in your group will get to swim with the elephants with/without reservations. And it is advisable to do this over weekdays, as the crowd is smaller. There has got to be at least 150 (perhaps more) on this day itself.
 | Being in the company of these beautiful, deep beings felt like standing next to a living fossil. Now I understand the human fascination with elephants ~ Mo*Maalim An eye opener ~ Linda What I took back from the trip was not just seeing/touching the elephants, but talking to the keepers and staff members and learning about them and the creatures in their care. When you place a name to an individual/elephant, a barrage of history and background unfolds, and brings you to a personal level with those that you interact with. It is only then that you begin to learn and understand them. ~ norahs2008 |
What You Should Bring With You
- A fresh change of clothes - There are changing facilities available
- Towel
- Food and drinks (do not leave litter behind though, please help keep the sanctuary clean) if that hunger pang strikes; there is a cafe in the centre itself.
- Camera (for all the obvious reasons)
- Yourself :)
- A sum donation should you choose to do so (there is not obligation on this)
What You Take Home With You
- Memories....Good ones :)
Some Links
- Short video clip
Sorry for the crappy quality, I had this done on camera phone, and was handling two other digicam at the same time LOL! - norahs2008
