Meaningful Trips - Jump with jumbo joy

The sanctuary was set up as a base for the elephant relocation unit in 1974 when the country experienced rapid deforestation.

In 2000, it was opened to the public as an ecotourism attraction. It strives to educate the public on the importance of habitat and environmental preservation.

My two-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur is a scenic one via the East Coast Highway. Exiting at Lanchang, the roads narrow considerably with oil palm and rubber estates on both sides.

The elephants can be viewed, touched and ridden for about two hours daily, starting from 14.00. But before that, there is a 40-minute documentary featuring the relocation programme that is conducted by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks.

Watching this documentary is recommended as it gives a better understanding of the threats these gentle giants face, and the dangerous work involved in moving them from their natural habitat to a safer environment when there are reports from farmers or villagers of elephants encroaching into farmland and villages.

The centre houses some work elephants used in its relocation assignments and also provides a home for orphaned elephants.

After the airconditioned comforts of a small theatrette, visitors make their way outdoors to interact with the animals.

The elephants go through a set routine. First, they are washed to get dried mud off their bodies. Some animals take a bath under a steady shower of water directed from a hose while other animals are taken to a shallow river nearby. Onlookers are encouraged to wade in and to help wash the animals. Getting splashed in the cold river is all part of the fun.

After the animals have had their bath, a caretaker will demonstrate how to feed bananas and watermelons to the animals. The animals are so tame that even young children can participate without fear. The beasts use their trunks as humans use their hands, to gently take the fruit from visitors.

This activity is followed by a short elephant ride around the flat, grassy area. Two elephants are specially trained to take passengers on their backs. Each animal is led by an experienced mahout, who will direct animals while one, or two adults, depending on the animal’s size, sits behind on the animals’ bare back. The wait in the queue is much longer than the elephant ride which lasts for about two minutes.

There is no entrance fee, but visitors are encouraged to make a contribution which goes towards upgrading the facilities. It can accommodate up to 150 people per day.

(By S Puvaneswary)