Page 218 - Westport Guide To Malaysia

210 NATURE, AGRICULTURE & PLANTATIONS
NATIONAL ELEPHANT CONSERVATION CENTRE (NECC)
Kuala Gandah
28500 Lanchang Pahang
Hp (017) 368 8270 W wildlife.gov.my
OPENING HOURS
Daily: 10.30am~4.30pm (Elephant Activity Area). Daily: 8am~4.30pm (Registration, Cafeteria, Interpretation Centre). Closed: 1st & 2nd day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
IN BRIEF
The NECC, established
in 1989 by the Malaysian Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), provides a sanctuary for displaced and orphaned wild Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), raises public awareness and supports elephant research. It is
also home to the Elephant Relocation Team, which captures displaced elephants and relocates them to suitable habitats.
LOCATION / ROUTE
Located in Krau Wildlife Reserve, the largest reserve in Peninsular Malaysia, 107km from Kuala Lumpur.
HOW TO GET THERE
Car/Taxi/Ride Hailing: East Coast Expressway Exit 816 (Lanchang) then follow signage (15mins).
Public Transport: Express bus from Kuala Lumpur’s Pekililing Bus Terminal to Lanchang, then local taxi or ride hailing. Remember to book your ride back to Lanchang.
The entrance to the National Elephant Conservation Centre, headquarters of the Elephant Relocation Team.
MAIN FEATURES
The NECC’s visitor activities are designed to raise awareness while allowing
as much contact with the elephants as possible. After registration, visitors should check out the Interpretation Centre, to learn more about the NECC’s mission. It is recommended (but not compulsory) to hire a Nature Guide (fee varies according to package). The resident elephants are a mix of orphaned juveniles too young to be relocated and adult working elephants, trained
to help capture problem wild
elephants for relocation. From 10.30am, visitors may
enter the Elephant Activity Centre to view, feed and
take photographs with the young elephants. Entrance
is free, although donations are welcomed. An elephant conservation video is shown at 1pm and 1.30pm. At 2pm (3pm Fridays), the Elephant Crossing allows visitors to view and take photographs with adult elephants and their mahouts. This is followed by a conservation talk given by
a mahout and his elephant. The final activity, from 3.15pm, is bathing with young
Krau Wildlife Reserve
National Elephant Conservation Centre
Lanchang
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