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Pictures by Gerald Lopez and courtesy of Utan Bara Adventure Team (Ubat)
ALMOST 100 people gathered on Sunday recently at the Elephant Management Centre in Kuala Gandah, Pahang to meet and mingle with elephants. The centre, run by the Elephant Management and Capture Unit (EMCU), has 11 tame elephants, some of which have been trained to herd their wild cousins in the unit's elephant translocation programme.
Organised by Razali Mohamad of Utan Bara Adventure Team (UBAT) and Cheryl Teh of The Putra Net, the objective was to raise awareness about the plight of the endangered Malayan elephant. The group started off by visiting the Department of Wildlife and National Parks' (DWNP) Rescued Wildlife Zoo in Temerloh, Pahang where animals which have been illegally poached or accidentally caught in traps are kept in transit.
Among the inmates are several sun bears, binturongs, a black panther, and the latest attraction, a seven-metre reticulated python.
Visitors to the Elephant Management Centre can touch and feed the animals.
The Elephant centre was the next stop, situated at the southwest corner of the Krau Game Reserve. There, the visitors were able to bathe the elephants in the adjoining stream. Children clambered all over the gentle giants, enjoying the experience as much as the elephants did.
Food and refreshments were served to all -- the elephants being treated with sugarcane and banana tree stems, while the humans feasted on the spread prepared by the wives of the centre's staff.
Leaflets were distributed explaining the efforts of the EMCU and the uncertain future of our elephants, and people were encouraged to interact with the elephants. To enliven things, a group from the nearby Orang Asli village came to meet the visitors and show off their blowpipe skills.
The staff of the unit were there to welcome the guests and explain their activities.
"Before the Wildlife Act of 1972," a spokesman said, "elephants that encroached on human lands were poisoned or shot, and there were only 500 animals left. After the Act, the unit had to be called in, and we either gave advice on how to get on with the elephants, or to translocate the elephants."
So far around 400 elephants have been moved, usually to Taman Negara, Belum in Perak, or Lake Kenyir, Terengganu. Through the EMCU's efforts, the wild elephant population has risen to 1,200 animals. But according to Mohd. M. Khan, former DWNP director-general, we need at least 2,000 animals to ensure a stable and healthy population.
There is growing concern in the DWNP and among environmentalists that the target population of 2,000 will be impossible to achieve as more and more elephant habitat is logged or developed, cleared for highways or converted to agricultural use.
Another worry for Nasaruddin Othman, EMCU head, is the fact that the Unit's budget has been cut by 18%; money needed to pay the trained and experienced staff, to maintain the vehicles and other equipment and to do necessary research.
"There is a fund to pay for translocations," Nasaruddin explains, "which the agricultural developers contribute to, but it doesn't pay towards keeping us going.
Our staff are very dedicated and concerned for the welfare of the wild elephants. The men who look after our trained elephants are more than mechanical trainers -- they are like fathers who are very attached to their wards."
But even dedicated staff need to maintain their families, and may be tempted into more lucrative jobs. Dealing with elephants can be dangerous and demanding; who would take over?
Another urgent requirement is money for research to understand the wild elephants' movements and behaviour. The Elephant Management Unit needs its own technology and know-how. Outside research bodies are often reluctant to release their findings to the Unit.
Nonetheless, how was the response to the day? "Awesome! Loved it!" said the kids. "Fascinating!" said the adults, "What charming creatures!"
Says Razali Mohamad, one of the organisers, "Unlike zoos, where there are barriers between people and animals, there are no barriers here but those in your mind. Once people get over their initial fears, they find that elephants are intelligent and responsive creatures."
"This event has several purposes; one of which is to show the potential of this centre for sensitively managed ecotourism. By allowing people to get involved with the elephants by patting, bathing and feeding them, they get a better understanding and relationship with the animal.
This file picture shows an elephant being transported on a raft by the Wildlife and National Parks department.
Perhaps if loggers, developers and agriculturists came they would take elephants into better consideration in their projects," Razali explains.
"This is also an opportunity for the locals, including the Orang Aslis, to get used to receiving guests, and experiencing how much the visitors appreciate meeting them and the elephants. And the elephants love it too.
"See how Salleh here is so well behaved," Razali says, pointing to a young tusker.
"He normally is quite cheeky and stubborn! They get used to the chaos of kids running around, which is good as an actual translocation operation can be quite chaotic," adds Razali.
I have met Salleh three times, and he never fails to come to greet me, giving me a good snuffle with his trunk.
And little 3-year old Adilah, found lost and lonely in an oil palm plantation, shakes her head and flaps her ears whenever I approach.
When I see the beaming and warm faces of the visitors, I feel a healing has taken place. It has been found that swimming with dolphins and meeting whales produces a profound effect on people, perhaps a deep mammalian communion.
It is now used in mental and emotional therapy, with very encouraging results. Perhaps there is potential for interaction with our elephants as a recognised form of therapy.
Says Razali, "It's amazing to see the excitement in people when they meet elephants. Full-grown adults become like children!
But even though today's is a big group, there have been no problems. Every one of the 23 cars kept to the rules, and moved with military precision.
"The only problem is that the children want to take the elephants home!"
And what of saving the elephants?
"First we need to create awareness," says Razali, "which was the objective of this event. Now that potential sponsors have met with the authorities, they can discuss how best to assist the Unit in its activities, and help secure the future of our elephants. And the centre needs funds for small things, like building a shelter for its resident elephants."
Just then Salleh came over, and with the tip of his trunk, patted Razali's head affectionately.
"By saving the elephants, we will save our forests, we will save the other species that live in the forests, and at the same time we will save our own futures."
See
www.myelephants.org
for more info.
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