KUALA GANDAH ELEPHANT SANCTUARY

The Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, located near the Krau Wildlife Reserve, was established in 1985 by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks and manned by the personnell of the department's Elephant Capture and Translocation Unit. The centre is geared towards the plight of the endangered and fully protected Malaysian elephants. It acts as a permanent base for the elephant capture unit, after introducing its most effective, and costly, control method for the elephant capture and translocation program in 1974. The centre also takes in orphaned and abandoned elephants and as such is also referred to as the Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary.

The sanctuary is a popular destination for visitors, both local and foreign, who come here especially in the weekends to observe and participate in the activities at the centre. The centre is open from 2pm to 4.30pm. Visitors are not charged any fees, however, it would be polite for visitors to make a donation towards the benefit of the elephants at the sanctuary. At the sanctuary, you will find a visitor information centre providing information and video presentation on the centre's elephant conservation efforts. Visitors can participate in daily activities, like feeding and grooming the centre's elephant and helping with the daily bathing of each animal in nearby river. The centre can get busy in the weekends, so it might be better for you to visit it in the weekdays, when you can enjoy the presence of these gentle elephants (almost) all to yourself!

There is also an Orang Asli settlement next door that you can visit and the Deerland Park just five minutes drive away.

For more information on the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, visit their website at : www.myelephants.org