Take the Asian elephant, for example. Herds of these magnificent creatures used to roam freely through the jungles of the Malay Peninsula.
Today because of human development, only a handful of herds are left, and their future is uncertain.
However, there is a spot of hope for these great pachyderms as you can see in Kuala Gandah, Pahang.
A 90-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur, the Kuala Gandah Conservation Centre is a sanctuary for these endangered creatures.
Open to the public, it is here that you will learn all there is to know about elephants and even interact with these gentle giants in the flesh.
Driving here is quite the experience, having to navigate through two-lane trunk roads cutting through plantations and dense jungle.
If you’re travelling on a budget, you’ll be pleased to know that admission to the sanctuary is free. All you have to do is fill up a disclaimer form and you’re free to enter.
All the same, you are encouraged to make a donation at the front desk. After all, caring for elephants isn’t exactly cheap.
Hiring a nature guide to take you around the sanctuary and show you the sights is also an option. This service costs just RM50 for a tour group of up to 12 people. This is not necessary, however, as it is easy enough to find your way around the area.
Rather morbidly, visitors to the centre are greeted by the sight of an elephant’s bleached skull. Perhaps it’s there for educational purposes, although younger visitors might get spooked.
Afterwards, you can visit the adjacent theatre where a documentary on Malaysian elephants is screened every hour or so.
There are also plenty of information boards detailing the science and behaviour of elephants; it’s a good place to load up on facts for Trivia Night.
Credit must be given to the designers of the conservation centre for accommodating the surrounding jungle in their design, rather than bulldozing through it.
Hence, as you stroll on the manmade walkways, you will still be surrounded by lush greenery that provides ample shade from the sun.
Most visitors tend to make a beeline towards the elephant paddocks, where some elephants wait to greet you.
There are about 24 elephants currently residing in various spots of the sanctuary so a walkabout is highly recommended.
While the elephants live in enclosures for visitors’ safety, you can still reach out to stroke their trunks if you so wish.
The elephants too are obliging enough, and they accept bribes in the form of sugarcane, sold in batches of RM3 each.
Do be careful with your personal belongings though. Elephants have a cheeky side and may abscond with your camera or hat for their own amusement.
Afterwards, you can head over to the amphitheatre to watch a demonstration by a posse of elephants and their mahouts.
Mind you, these demonstrations are not circus acts. Circus elephants are often subjected to cruel abuse and this goes against the policy of the conservation centre.
These elephants are often rescued from across Malaysia, and many of them are elderly, with one being in her fifties.
It probably attests to the good care provided in the centre that they have survived for this long and remain in good health.
Once the demonstration ends, you can catch the elephants heading for their afternoon bath. This is quite the draw, with visitors scrambling to catch a glimpse.
It is definitely interesting to watch the elephants taking a dip; they are apparently good swimmers and cooling off is a rather regular practice for them in the wild.
Don’t leave the amphitheatre just yet though! Baby elephants will be brought out as staff demonstrate how they feed them milk.
Also, one of these baby elephants, which lost a leg because of a hunter’s snare, will have his prosthetic leg fitted as part of the demonstration.
Once all that’s done, feel free to wander around, maybe stop by the gift shop to get something to remember the trip before heading for home.
So, here’s yet another memorable place worth visiting on the next long weekend!
Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre
28500 Lanchang
Pahang
Operating hours: 10.30am-3.30pm daily
Contact: 013-908 8207