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ECOTOURISM |
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| NATIONAL
ELEPHANT CONSERVATION CENTRE, KUALA GANDAH, PAHANG |
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The
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP)
established National 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,
to other suitable habitats throughout Peninsular,
including Taman Negara National Park. Over the past
30 years the 24 strong team has helped to prevent
the further decline of the elephant population by
relocating more than 450 wild elephants.
In addition of being the home to the translocation
team and a herd of resident elephants, the centre
also carries out public awareness activities related
to the conservation issues of elephants in Malaysia.
It also supports research activities on elephant
translocation and conservation. The centre is open
to visitors throughout the year. Visitors can ride
the elephant within the centre, assist in bathing
and feeding them.
The
awareness activities strive to educate the public
about the importance of the species and habitat
protection. Visitors are encouraged to view a video
presentation on elephant translocation at the centre.
Upon request special programme can be arranged for
school groups. A scheduled visitors programme is
available, which could be referred under the “
Visitor Timetable” below.
The Resident Elephants at the Centre
The centre houses a number of resident elephants
which were brought in from Thailand and Myanmar.
These elephants are trained and used in translocation
exercise of catching problem wild elephants in throughout
Peninsular Malaysia. The centre also looks after
orphaned elephants to ensure their continued survival.
The Asian Elephants
The Peninsular Malaysian elephants belongs to the
Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) is listed
as a critically endangered species, with less than
40,000 wild elephants in Asia, including 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 they raid crops on a massive
scale. This is why the translocation team has such
a dire responsibility to move these elephants, to
prevent them from otherwise being shot by farmers,
or simply dying of starvation.
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Visitor
Timetable at the Centre
Visitors
are encouraged to participate in activities from 2.00
pm onwards. |
Time |
Activities |
| 2.15
pm |
ELEPHANT
RIDE
Visitors are invited to ride and elephant around
the centre. |
| 2.30 pm |
BATHING
Visitors can join the elephants as they bathe
and swim in the river under staff supervision. |
| 3.30
pm |
FEEDING
Visitors can participate in feeding the elephants,
their dinner of banana, carrot, papaya etc. |
| 3.45 pm |
VIDEO
SHOW
Visitors may view a video on issues surrounding
wild elephants, diminishing habitat and translocation |
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How to Get There
Visitors
are encouraged to contact the centre to facilitate
arrangements and to determine whether the centre can
accommodate your visit especially if you are coming
in a big group. Visitors are advised to bring with
them additional clothing should they wish to participate
in bathing activities with the elephants in the river.
The centre welcome visitors to the National Elephant
Conservation Centre with the aim of educating with
outdoor activities.
Your Support and Contribution Needed
The National Elephant Conservation Centre at Kuala
Gandah is managed by the Department of Wildlife and
National Parks Peninsular Malaysia. Continuous efforts
are being undertaken to enhance the existing facilities
either for research and development or visitors to
the centre. The Department strives to make this centre
as the region’s most outstanding elephant training
and conservation centre. We welcome any form of assistance
and support.
Enquiries
pertaining to assistance and contribution can be forwarded
to the staff at the centre. The Department of Wildlife
and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia has established
the Elephant Trust Fund to facilitate donation from
the public. You can also forward your enquiries by
writing to the following address:
Head
National Elephant Conservation Centre (NECC)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP/PERHILITAN)
Kuala Gandah, 28500 Lanchang
Pahang Darul Makmur
Tel: 09-2790391
| Day |
Time |
| Monday
– Sunday |
7.30
am - 1.00 pm
2.00 pm – 5.30 pm |
| Friday |
7.30
am – 12.15 pm
2.45 pm – 5.30 pm |
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Notice:
The
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) Peninsular
Malaysia would like to clarify its stand regarding www.myelephants.org,
a website featuring the National Elephant Conservation
Centre at Kuala Gandah, Lanchang, Pahang, which comes
under the direct jurisdiction of the DWNP.
The
website, as well as the bank account for donations,
have been set up without any affiliation with or consent
from the DWNP.
The
DWNP is fully responsible for the management of elephants
in Peninsular Malaysia and thus has the necessary
resources to support all elephant conservation related
activities. However, if any members of the public
who wish to donate for te conservation of elephants
in Malaysia or at this centre should send the donations
directly to the DWNP.
Please
be advised that the DWNP does not receive funds from
the public via third party bank accounts. |
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