Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary

PLACES

An Amazing Day With Giants at Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary

By Phil Foo

Nestled within the lush forests of Pahang, Malaysia, lies the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, a haven for majestic Asian elephants, and a beacon of hope for wildlife conservation.

When it comes to elephants, I have this fascination for them. I have seen them in the wild, I have also managed a nature project at a resort I used to work at and brought in an elephant and a mahout to offer rides. I’ve always been fascinated by these gentle giants, so when the opportunity arose to visit the sanctuary together with the Philharmonic Society of Selangor, I seized it with excitement.

About The Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary

The Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, located in the state of Pahang, Malaysia, is a significant conservation and education center dedicated to the protection and rehabilitation of elephants. Established in 1989 by the Malaysian Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN), the sanctuary is nestled within the lush greenery of the Krau Wildlife Reserve, providing a natural environment for the elephants that reside there.

[ Some of them were orphans whose parents were killed by poachers, or died due to poisoning by villagers… ]

The primary mission of the sanctuary is to rescue and relocate wild elephants that have been displaced due to deforestation, human-elephant conflicts, or other threats to their habitat. Many of these elephants are transferred from areas where they are at risk of being harmed by humans or where their natural habitat has been destroyed due to logging or agricultural expansion. The sanctuary is also involved in the translocation of these elephants to more suitable and safe environments, including national parks and reserves across Malaysia.

The administration office of the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary.

Black and white art of elephants; what a lovely piece.

My Experience

As we approached the entrance of the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, the sound of rustling leaves and distant trumpeting elephants created an ambiance that filled me with both excitement and the waking up of my sense of adventure. I got my camera ready, planned what to take and what to leave in the bus, and I was ready to begin my journey into the world of elephants.

The sanctuary is not just a place to admire these incredible gentle giants. It’s also an educational center dedicated to raising awareness about elephant conservation here in Malaysia. At the entrance we filled a form, was briefed on the dos and don’ts when in the park by a staff.

Elephant bones and skull on display at the sanctuary.

We also had a short briefing on the elephants, what the sanctuary does, and the issues that the elephants here in Malaysia face such as habitat loss, human-elephant conflicts, and poaching. It was sobering to learn about the struggles these animals endure, but it also filled me with admiration for the sanctuary’s efforts in rescuing and rehabilitating elephants.

We then walked into the sanctuary and the nature of the area caught my ears and eyes. With that I meant the sounds of birds and the birds themselves. I walked behind our group as I wanted to take photos of the birds, flowers, spiders, etc. as we walked deeper into the sanctuary

The Elephant Experience

After a pretty good walk, the sight of elephants was a welcoming sight. We were ushered to a place where a few elephants were waiting by the side of a stage. This was certainly a moment of my visit that has locked itself into my memory as I got to get up close and personal with the elephants. I bought some sugarcane and fed the elephants there. What an awesome experience.

Feeding elephants and getting to know some of them.

While I was feeding the elephants the ranger there shared a story about the elephants within the enclosure; what their names are, where they came from, etc. I then noticed that one of the elephants had a foot that is in what looked like a cast. I asked the ranger about her and she shared that the elephant stepped on a trap and the trap injured her leg. Yes, that was a female elephant.

What is sad is that the other elephants here at the enclosure didn’t have a better story. Some of them were orphans whose parents were killed by poachers, or died due to poisoning by villagers when they walked into some of the villages in search of food, etc. Sad stories.

Elephant show about to start.

To The Stage

After feeding the elephants we were guided to a stage that is near the enclosure. An elephant show was about to start. With that in mind I looked for places that would give me good vantage points to take photos of the elephants. With a telephoto lens in hand I decided to stay at the back where lesser people sat or stood, giving me the freedom to take photos without being too much of a disturbance to other visitors.

After a few minutes of waiting the elephants and their mahouts started walking onto the stage. They “trumpeted” their trunks upon walking into the area. Two elephants seemed to be communicating with each other “trumpeting” messages to each other in elephant language. The announcer then shared that they are excited to see each other as they are friends. So touching.

Elephant spraying water at the stage.

An elephant and a mahout posing for photos.

The show went on with the elephants exhibiting their talents, abilities, and also what elephants generally used to do being known as beast of labour, during a time when elephants were used to work on railroad construction, building certain things etc.

After the show the elephants and mahouts posed for photographs, and also waited patiently for visitors to buy sugarcanes to be fed to them (elephants). Elephants really are smart creatures and make for good photos holding various poses.

An elephant playing in the dirt, throwing dirt on itself.

Another highlight was watching the elephants take play with dirt at a nearby field before heading to the river for a bath. The sheer joy they exhibited as they threw dust and sand around was contagious, and it was heart-warming to see them enjoying themselves. The ranger taking care of the area certainly had a bond with the elephants. She called out to one and it came to her.

Understanding the Sanctuary’s Mission

Kuala Gandah isn’t just about providing a home for elephants but also about ensuring their future. The sanctuary’s efforts go beyond daily care, extending to active involvement in relocation programs. Elephants that are at risk in the wild are brought here, rehabilitated, and if possible, reintroduced into safer environments. Understanding this mission made my visit more meaningful, as I realized that every visitor helps support these crucial conservation efforts.

The top of an elephant’s head after throwing dirt on itself.

A Reflective Farewell

As my day at the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary came to an end, I found myself reflecting on the deep connection between humans and animals. The sanctuary reminded me of the responsibility we all share in protecting the natural world and its inhabitants. The experience was not just about seeing elephants up close; it was about understanding their plight and appreciating the efforts being made to ensure their survival.

Leaving the sanctuary, I felt a mixture of emotions and am thankful for the opportunity to witness these magnificent creatures, and also gained a deep respect for the people dedicating their lives to their care, and a renewed commitment to supporting conservation efforts in any way. I hope this article helps too.

The Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary is more than just a tourist destination but also a place where the love for wildlife comes to life, leaving an indelible mark on everyone who visits.

My favourite shot from my visit to the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary.

Visiting the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary was a journey of learning, compassion, and connection with nature in a place where you don’t just observe elephants; you experience their world, understand their challenges, and leave with a heart full of inspiration. If you ever find yourself in Malaysia, I highly recommend a visit to this incredible sanctuary. A visit here will be an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.