Elephant centre in Kuala Gandah attracts more visitors

December 11, 2008
Elephant centre in Kuala Gandah attracts more visitors
By SIMON KHOO

LANCHANG: The National Elephant Conservation Centre in Kuala Gandah here saw an increase of 34% in visitors last year.

This one-of-its-kind facility in Malaysia recorded 81,017 visitors last year comprising 59,468 locals and 21,549 foreigners.

The number of visitors had previously increased from 38,863 in 2005 to 60,436 in 2006.

The centre’s elephant unit chief Nasharuddin Othman said that most of the foreign tourists were from Australia, Britain, New Zealand, Japan and Germany.

“We attracted many visitors because it is the only place in Malaysia where visitors can observe and understand the handling and management of translocated Asian elephants.

“It offers an enriching experience by allowing visitors to participate in elephant rides, feeding and water activities such as swimming and bathing the elephants,” he said.

Under the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) masterplan, the centre was earmarked as a wildlife reserve.

Eco-tourism was one of the initiatives under the ECER, which includes transforming the centre into a world-class conservation site.

“There are plans under ECER to include our centre as an eco-tourism destination,” said Nasharuddin, adding that the Government had approved an allocation of RM2.9mil to upgrade the premises.

The centre was established in 1985 by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks and funded by an annual grant of RM700,000, apart from public donations.

It is manned by personnel of the elephant relocation team which began the elephant translocation programme in 1974.

The centre has 31 full-time staff working in shifts to care for the 12 elephants, and six part-time workers to clean the premises.

It is open from 12pm to 4.45pm from Mondays to Thursdays and from 2.45pm to 4.45pm on Friday.

During weekends and public holidays, members of the public can visit the elephants from 10am to 4.45pm.

For more information, call the centre at 09-279 0391.

- STAR Online -