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The
Department of Wildlife and National Parks established Kuala Gandah
Elephant Conservation Centre in 1989. The centre is a base for the
Elephant Relocation Team, which began the elephant translocation
programme in 1974.
The only one of its kind in Malaysia, the team is dedicated to locating,
subduing and then translocating problem elephants from areas where their
habitats are constantly being encroached by plantations.
As
well as being a base for the translocation team and a home for a number
of resident elephants, Kuala Gandah also aims to promote public
awareness of the elephant’s plight in Malaysian and to support research
into elephants translocation and conservation. Visitors are welcome
throughout the year to ride the elephant within the centre, help wash
them in the nearby river and participate in feeding them.
The centre also strives to educate the public about the importance of
habitat and environmental preservation. visitors are encouraged to view
a video on elephant translocation and special programme can be arranged
for school groups.
The Elephant at the center
At present, Kuala Gandah
house a number of elephant which were brought in from Thailand an
Myanmar. The elephants are trained and used in translocation process of
wild elephants in problem areas throughout Peninsular Malaysia. The
centre also looks after orphaned elephants to ensure their continued
survival.
The Asian Elephant
Currently the
Asean elephant is listed as a critically endangered species, with less
than 40,000 wild elephants in Asia and a maximum of 1,200 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.
Visitor Timetable at the Center
Visitors are encouraged to participate in activities from 1.00pm
onwards.
Time Activity
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
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