There's more to life: Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre

National Elephant Conservation Centre located at Kuala Gandah, Lanchang, Pahang.

Tel: 013-9790272 Counter: 013-9088207

Established in 1989 by the Malaysian Department of Wildlife and National Parks. Since 1974, they have been rescuing problem Asian elephants whose habitats are being lost to cultivation or development and relocating them to Taman Negara.

An elephant, strong, demanding, loveable, gentle, intelligent, individualistic, highly disciplined and fiercely protective of their young.

A long forgotten story, of such a bull resided in the jungles of Teluk Anson (Teluk Intan). One day the herd went for a stroll, close to the old Port Weld (Taiping railway line). The heard had not realized that the train was chugging down the tracks until the very last moment. In a desperate attempt to save the family, the bull charged the oncoming train to save the herd.

The impact toppled the train. The bull had saved the heard but sacrificed his life in the process. Malaya at that time was under British rule at that time and they had erected a monument where the bull lay as a remembrance of its sacrifice towards the heard.

This is one of a few different versions of the story.

However, the forgotten plaque still stands by the side of the now abandoned track .

The elephant's skull was transported to Kuala Lumpur and placed at Muzium Negara.

The elephant's unconditional and unbiased love for one its heard and social and high moral dedication to each family member is truly admirable.

Picture from the internet archives

This is mine and my families first contact with elephants. And I dare vouch that all the above about elephants are true. For their larger than life stature, they are such gentle creatures.

Commencement of the video presentation

Enumerated below are the rough itinerary for the sanctuary:-

Time	Activities
10.30 am - 12.00 pm	Elephant observation along the interpretive trail. Visitor will be able to observe the young elephant roaming freely within the secured electric fencing area.
1.00 pm & 1.30 pm	Video presentation of a documentary showing the relocating of wild elephants to their new habitat
2.30 pm	Feeding of elephants
3.00 pm	Bathing and cleaning of elephants by staff Visitors will be introduced to each of the elephants which include their background and ability. No elephant rides provided in this centre.

Tickets are priced at RM10.00 per adult and RM5.00 per child. Guided tour and a chance to personally give the elephant a bath is RM50.00.

My family with our guide, Syafiq. We are surrounded by lush greeneries. Pictures taken using Canon G11

There is a river passing through the sanctuary, this is where the elephants will later take a bath and play

A nice place to have a break and take in all the wonders of nature gradually

Peanuts can be purchased at RM3.00 per packet, to feed these gentle giants

Their trunks are like giant vacuum cleaners. You can feel the suction from the end of the trunks of these adult elephants when they suck the nuts from the palm of your hands

My son had commented that they were many wound marks on the elephant. Its such a pity. Most of the wounds was caused by contact with humans, prior to their relocation here

Simply gorgeous

This poor animal has a deformed left leg which is clearly visible in the photo. Caused non other by human contact. She was caught in a trap at an oil palm plantation. Animals guard their young from impending danger. Humans guard their crops for profiteering