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Curiosity got the best of about 20 AirAsia employees when they recently went on a trip to the Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre in Pahang to learn more about the mammoth that is facing threats of extinction.

For most of them, it was their first visit to Kuala Gandah and seeing the animal eye-to eye was a sparse opportunity. It was indeed an eye-opening experience for the team who came from various divisions and departments in AirAsia.

“While interacting with the elephants, we had the opportunity to strengthen passion towards the animals.”

“The experience was totally different from visiting the zoo. I got so close to the elephants, touched them, rode on them, and even bathed them. I still could not believe that I fed them fruits and vegetables with my own hands. It was real fun and pretty astonishing,” added Masino.

Another Guest Support staff, R. Mani, saw the visit to Kuala Gandah as a fulfillment to her longing to be with the elephants. “Life is not just about working. It is great that AirAsia gave us this opportunity to be with the orphaned elephants who needed love and care. How I wish Kuala Gandah is nearby my house or office so that I can be there more often,” she said.

The Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre, also popularly known as the Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary, was set up in 1989 under the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan). Situated within the biodiversity-rich Krau Wildlife Reserve, the sanctuary is managed by the Perhilitan’s Elephant Capture and Translocation Unit.

The sanctuary came about as the department’s strong commitment towards continued protection and translocation of wild elephants, from areas where there is conflict between wild elephants and humans, into bigger and safer jungle reserves land while educating locals on the correct steps to protect their farms whilst supporting wildlife conservation.

“It is sad to see the elephants having to spend their lives at the sanctuary. I feel very sorry for them for not being able to live freely in their habitat. I understand that the sanctuary is just a temporary shelter to prepare them to go back into the jungle. I just hope that more people can come and visit the sanctuary so that they can understand their plight and appreciate their existence,” said Nur Asyikin Zainuddin of Engineering Division.

For more information on the Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre, visit www.myelephants.org or Perhilitan’s website at www.wildlife.org.my.

This article is distributed by www.Malaysia-Travel-Info.com. An up-to-date guide to Malaysia travel. Providing current and relevant information about visa, airlines, hotels, resorts, Malaysia tourism, scuba diving, travel, health and wellness.

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