Trip To Kuala Gandah Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary & Deerland, Pahang

Riding one of the elephant...I just amazed by the size of that thing

Kuala Gandah Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary is located somewhere at Lanchang, Pahang. The journey takes about 2 1/2 hour drive from city of Kuala Lumpur. The sanctuary is one of famous and rare place in Malaysia, which provide the visitors opportunity to see the elephant up close. The center was established in 1989 by the Department of Wildlife & National Parks (PERHILITAN) that aim to prevent further decline of elephant population by relocating them somewhere in National Parks, away from human interference. The vicinity is rather good place for the elephants, and it seems they really enjoy themselves there. The visitors are free to interact with the elephants where they are allow to make close contact, feed, ride, and even take bath in the river with the elephants. There is also a gallery situated in the main building, where we can read a lot of informations about elephant management & conservation in Malaysia.

A hedgehog just rise from sleep...how cute

The python laying lazily on itself after lunch hour

After spending two hours or so at Kuala Gandah Elephant Center, we then travel to another sanctuary which is the Deerland. The Deerland is located only a few minutes away from the elephant center. Don't be fool by the name of the place, where the place actually like a mini zoo exhibiting a selection of wildlife such as birds, python, rabbits, ostrich, sun bear and deer as main attraction. There is also a section that allocated for cultivation of traditional herbal plants. We arrived at the park at about late afternoon and most of the animals are resting at that time, even the snake ignore us.

A dominant male pose himself for a postcard

Eat all you want...if you can stand on two legs of course

Luckily that the park management allow visitors to feed the deers, and they supply a small basket of food for that reason. It is interesting and fascinating during the deer-feeding session as you can touch the wild animals that have been tamed and trained to allow human to go near the deers and touch them. The deer even climb on you if you resist feeding them or hiding the food from them. If you are not lucky, the whole population swarm and jump at you. Be careful and not to get too close at the dominant male or you will be strike with the antler.

The sun bear...Malaysia's icon for endangered animal

The last animal we visited in Deerland is the Sun bear. It is still very young and needed care and pamper from the trainer. The sun bear is use to people or crowd, very friendly and gentle though. One of the sun bear, he like to play with water and the trainer usually feeds the bear with honey and cookies. The bear also did not bother us touching and taking photograph with him. In nature sun bear usually act in such way, and attack on humans only occur when the animal is frightened. Take an encyclopedia about sun bear and read it, they do not eat flesh but mainly honey, fruit and grubs. Think again...have a nice day