Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Kuala Gandah Elephant Lanchang Malaysia Sanctuary Full Day Tour Package


Elephant Sanctuary Kuala Gandah

Lanchang  Pahang Malaysia

 

 Mobile Hotline  : +6012 369 5862



Duration Approx. 8 hours 
Departure 09.00 am from Kuala Lumpur
Package Rate  :  RM 200.00 per person
Chils  Rate  4 - 11 yrs RM 140.00 per person

Notes : 
1. The above rates is subject to 10% service charge..


Package Includes
* Pick and drop off at major hotels in Kuala Lumpur
* 01 Simple Lunch 
* Conservation Fee

Recommended Gear:
Sport shoes, t-shirt, long pants, sunglasses and hat.
Extra clothings to change and towels



Itinerary: 09.00am  Departure for Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary
11.30am Visit Deer Farm Sanctuary except of Fridays replaced with Batu Caves (Deer Farm is closed)
12.30pm Arrival at Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary. Light lunch
01.00pm Briefing & a 30-minute National Geographic documentary at the Visitors Information Centre
01.45pm Feeding, grooming, bathing and riding of the elephants
04.00pm Departure for Kuala Lumpur

Elephant Sanctuary Malaysia
Welcome to Kuala Gandah The national Department of Wildlife and National Parks established the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary in 1989. The center is a base for the elephant relocation team, which began the translocation program in 1974. Being the only one of its kind in Malaysia, the team's duty is to track down, sedating and relocating problem elephants from areas whose natural habitats are constantly encroached by human developments, namely plantations. The captured wild elephants are then relocated to National Parks. Over the past 25 years the 24 strong team has helped the prevent the further decline of the elephant population by relocating more than 500 wild elephants. 

Deer Sanctuary
This deer sanctuary is situated in Bukit Rengit, Lanchang, about 140km from Kuantan. Traverse the park's 'Nature Garden' on an elevated boardwalk and marvel at its varieties of herbs and plants. The highlight of a visit here will be the interesting and fascinating deer-feeding session.


The park's 'Animal World' offers attractions such as ostriches, peacocks, deer and a sunbear. Visitors can also go camping or join a guided tour to learn basic jungle survival skills. 

History of Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary


Elephant Sanctuary Kuala Gandah

Lanchang  Pahang Malaysia

 

Mobile Hotline  : +6012 369 5862



Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre, or popularly referred to as the Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary, is located within the bio diversified-rich and protected Krau Game Reserve & was set up in 1989 under the DWNP , manned by the Elephant Capture & Translocation Unit  

The Teris River acts as a natural border between the  reserve and the Che' wong Orang Asli village
- the last tribe of its kind found in Malaysia. The name Kuala Gandah is, itself,  taken from the small stream running near the electric compound enclosure which houses the elephants during the day from 830am to 2pm before they are transferred to the roofed holding area.

Prior to this arrangement, the ECTU  was a mobile operating team since  its establishment in 1974 with a temporary base at the Jengka Pusat plantation where a huge area of jungle was carved to make way for the planting of oil palm and rubber trees and given to poor families to work on as a means of  eradicating poverty
amongst the rural folk and to rid of  subversive hideouts during the communist insurgency days in the 1970s.

The clearing of the jungles created consistent confrontations between the wild elephants and the settlers.
The unit remained there untill 1981 before it moved to Kuala Lompat on the north eastern side of Krau Game Reserve.

However, it must be noted that cutting down of the forests here are done for the overall benefit of the people of Malaysia within the poverty line and compared to any other countries in the world - Malaysia has THE BEST record in forest preservation AND reforestation.

Find out the world's 10 BIGGEST CULPRITS that keep on warming up the fragile world and yet blames Malaysia for supposedly cutting down all the forests.

ECTU's dedicated and never ending function is to the continued protection and translocation of wild elephants, from areas where there is conflict between wild elephants and humans, into bigger and safer jungle reserves land while educating locals on the correct steps to protect their farms whilst supporting wildlife conservation.

This unit is one of its kind in the world where the possibilities of being charged or trampled
by enraged wild elephants happens for 2/3 weeks every month! It is a thankless job where only a very tiny percentage of  the general public is aware of the existence, dedication and sacrifices these magnificent men make every month in order to provide a win-win situation for both the wild elephants and the human planters!

Currently, there are 32 full time and 6 contracted staff working, living in and near the centre complete with housing facilities. Water is supplied and piped in from the upper reaches of the cool, clear and clean Sungai Batu waterfalls which lies within the gazetted " Protected Areas " of the Krau Game Reserve  while
electricity supply is on a 24 hour basis.


Although the sanctuary was set up in late 1989, it was only in 1997 that the general Malaysian public and the world knew of its existence, thanks to the far sightness of a very good friend of the sanctuary, who is often referred to as The Elephant Man!

Not only did he suggested, created activities and led surprised visitors to this sanctuary, but unselfishly invited
the media, tourist guides and travel agencies to see what the  sanctuary has to offer as he realised that
the sanctuary IS for everyone!

The rest, as they say....is history.

If you do meet him here during one of his volunteering visits - feel free to ask anything there is about the sanctuary and elephants over a cup of tea and he will make your day a very unforgetable one for you!
Be warned though - he will try his best to convince you to pass the good word around and get material donations for the ETCU!

For that, a BIG thank you, Mr Elephant Man!

Even tour guides and travel agencies have benefitted tremendously from the unselfish efforts of the sanctuary's No 1 EleFriend! The sanctuary certaintly needs more sincere help from interested individuals and organisations!


Objectives of the Centre
- Overall
For the continuos conservation of the elephants and its habitats through sustainable management in tandem
with the aspirations of the country.

- Immediate
1)   Ensuring of the protection and management of the elephants and its habitants
2)  Enhancing the public's knowledge,awareness and support on the importance of elephant conservation.
3)  Managing the Centre as a centre for Research and Education as well as an economic & eco-tourism
      activities site.

The Centre has also played guests to interns/volunteers with veterinary, zoologial and eco-tourism
and/or business/marketing OR hands-on living skills backgrounds from Czech Republic, the UK,
the US, New Zealand, Slovenia, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Germany and Canada, not only
to offer their skills and knowledge for the conservation of elephants but, in exchange, to learn more about
the local culture, conservation efforts and the host country.

However, all volunteering & internship opportunities have since been stopped for an indefinite period as
a result of various problems caused by an insensitive, ignorant & " ugly " North American towards not only
the culture and the community @ the sanctuary but also towards several visitors.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Elephant Sanctuary Kuala Gandah Lanchang temerloh Pahang Malaysia Package Tour


Elephant Sanctuary Kuala Gandah

Lanchang  Pahang Malaysia

 

Mobile Hotline  : +6012 369 5862

Duration Approx. 8 hours 
Departure 09.00 am from Kuala Lumpur
Package Rate  :  RM 200.00 per person
Chils  Rate  4 - 11 yrs RM 140.00 per person

Notes : 
1. The above rates is subject to 10% service charge..


Package Includes
* Pick and drop off at major hotels in Kuala Lumpur
* 01 Simple Lunch 
* Conservation Fee

Recommended Gear:
Sport shoes, t-shirt, long pants, sunglasses and hat.
Extra clothings to change and towels

Itinerary: 09.00am  Departure for Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary
11.30am Visit Deer Farm Sanctuary except of Fridays replaced with Batu Caves (Deer Farm is closed)
12.30pm Arrival at Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary. Light lunch
01.00pm Briefing & a 30-minute National Geographic documentary at the Visitors Information Centre
01.45pm Feeding, grooming, bathing and riding of the elephants
04.00pm Departure for Kuala Lumpur

Elephant Sanctuary Malaysia
Welcome to Kuala Gandah The national Department of Wildlife and National Parks established the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary in 1989. The center is a base for the elephant relocation team, which began the translocation program in 1974. Being the only one of its kind in Malaysia, the team's duty is to track down, sedating and relocating problem elephants from areas whose natural habitats are constantly encroached by human developments, namely plantations. The captured wild elephants are then relocated to National Parks. Over the past 25 years the 24 strong team has helped the prevent the further decline of the elephant population by relocating more than 500 wild elephants. 

Deer Sanctuary
This deer sanctuary is situated in Bukit Rengit, Lanchang, about 140km from Kuantan. Traverse the park's 'Nature Garden' on an elevated boardwalk and marvel at its varieties of herbs and plants. The highlight of a visit here will be the interesting and fascinating deer-feeding session.


The park's 'Animal World' offers attractions such as ostriches, peacocks, deer and a sunbear. Visitors can also go camping or join a guided tour to learn basic jungle survival skills. 

More information of the Kuala Ganda Elephant Sanctuary


Elephant Sanctuary Kuala Gandah

Lanchang  Pahang Malaysia

 

Mobile Hotline  : +6012 369 5862 

Email : justinebeverly@gmail.com



Malaysia is split into two parts both by the South China sea. Both of Malaysia's territories are home to two of the sub species of elephants. Peninsula Malaysia is home to the mainland Asian elephant (Maximus elephas indicus) and Borneo is home to the so called pygmy elephants (Maximus elephas borneensis).  Malaysian Elephant Population Figures
Elephant Range 45,000 km² approx (includes Peninsula and Borneo combined)
Country Ranking 4th of 13
Total Wild Elephants 2,351-3,066 total
1,251-1,466 - Peninsula
1,100- 1,600 - Borneo
Country Ranking 4th or 5th of 13
Total Captive Population negligible
Country Ranking Joint 10-13th
Source: R Sukumar - A Brief Review of the Status, Distribution and Biology of Wild Asian Elephants Elephas maximus- International Zoo Yearbook 2006
While this information source is considered the very best available, accurate data on wild elephant populations is difficult to obtain and scientifically verify.
Malaysia has a significant elephant population on both the Peninsula and Borneo
Wild Elephants in MalaysiaPeninsula Malaysia
Historically elephants were found in large numbers throughout the densely forests Malay Peninsula. However ver the past 100 years the forests have steadily given way to agriculture for both food and cash crops. The wild elephants have progressively receded from the south and west. Initially forest clearance paid no heed to the need for elephant corridors to allow for trans migration and this gave rise to a considerable human-elephant conflict and the destruction of valuable crops.
The Malay authorities response was to set up the Elephant Management Unit in 1974 under the authority of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks. This unit has established the world renowned Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre. The unit has become highly specialised in elephant translocation in response to human elephant conflict, moving elephants to he eastern Malaysian states of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang where there is still a large amount of forest, some of which is protected as part of the vast Taman Negara National Park.
Using translocation elephants have been completely removed from the state of Perlis, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan. In total some 500 elephants have been translocated over 25 years.
Forest clearance is now much reduced and takes place only after a lengthy planning process which takes into account elephant migtation pattern and habitat requirements.
The translocation policy appears to have been successful in maintaining a healthy elephant population and reducing human-elephant conflict.
Habitat loss threatens Malaysia's wild elephant population
Wild elephants are being moved to the eastern states
Borneo
The elephants of Borneo were only accepted as a totally separate sub species in 2003 after scientists concluded that they were genetically different from their mainland cousins. Borneo is still home to large areas of forest which provides real hope that a healthy wild elephant population has a sustainable future. The elephants of Borneo are known to migrate between Malaysia and the Indonesian province of Kalimantan. Currently the Department of Wildlife and National Parks are working closely with the WWF to ensure the survival of Borneo’s elephants.
Borneo's elephants were declared a seperate sub species in 2003
Borneo's elephants are known as Pygmy Elephants on account of their diminutive size
Domesticated Elephants in MalaysiaHistorically Malaysia did have something of a domesticated elephant tradition based around the palaces of the Malay Sultans however this culture began to fade out in the 19th century.
Domesticated elephants were revived in 1974 because of the requirements of the Elephant Management Unit. Six mahouts and four khoonkie elephants (those trained to capture wild elephants) were brought over from Assam to train rangers how to control and capture wild elephants. Today the unit maintains 8 elephants to help with its operations.
Malaysia has a registration scheme for all elephants in captivity, mainly in zoos. Currently there are 36 elephants on the register.
Malaysia practices a successful policy of elephant relocation
Malaysia maintain 8 elephants for wild capture operations
Summary

Malaysia’s approach to elephant conservation has been well thought out, scientifically based and methodical in its approach. The translocation of problem elephants has mitigated the effects of human-elephant conflict found elsewhere and ensured healthy sustainable elephant populations. In the future as long as further deforestation is limited it should be possible for Malaysia to maintain a healthy elephant population on both the Peninsula and in Borneo.