Save The Elephants
Date : 6th April 2013
Venue : Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre, Pahang
Time : 8.00 a.m. - 5.30 p.m.
Principal & Lecturers : Ms Lauren Wilson, Ms. Koh Jee Yin, Ms Azreena Azman, Mr Fong Mun Chou
Number of Students : 40
This was a day trip organized by the South Australian Matriculation Programme of Taylor’s
College Sri Hartamas. The aim of this trip was to educate the students on the conservation of
elephants and what this community is doing to save the endangered Malaysian elephants.
We left the college at 8.00 a.m, bright and early as the conservation centre was quite a distance
away. It took us almost 2 hours until we finally arrived at the destination. Upon arrival, we were
welcomed by the rangers of the conservation centre.
We were then led to a screening theater where we watched a documentary about how wild
elephants were captured and translocated to a forest reserve area to ensure they do not bring
harm to the residents. The ranger also told us a brief history about the conservation centre and
had a question and answer session.
After that, we were split into 3 groups and were led by different rangers down to the elephant
sanctuary. There, we saw 6 young elephants separated into 3 compartments and we were given a chance to feed them with sugar canes. The rangers explained to us how to differentiate between a male and a female elephant. The lead ranger also told us more about his experience and gave us some safety tips.
Soon, lunch time arrived. After lunch, the real work begun. One group had to plant trees, one
group raked leaves and cleared the dried branches and the remaining group had to go down the
river to fill up bags of sand for the elephants to walk on when they walk down the river. We all
worked hard under the hot sun, however, we had loads of fun. Everyone did their part and
worked together, including our principal and our lecturers.
Half way through our work, it was time for the elephant bathing session. We were given the
chance to go down the river to bathe the young elephants and to play with them. However, we
had to be careful as the elephant might trample over us when they got too excited. The young
elephants were very tamed and obedient. We continued our work about another hour or so and at
the same time we all played in the river. It was an enjoyable time.
We ended our day at the conservation centre by visiting and feeding a young elephant and also an
injured elephant. The lead ranger said this was a prohibited area and we were lucky as we were
given this opportunity. After cleaning ourselves up, we left the conservation centre around
5.30p.m. and had dinner at McDonald’s. We arrived at college around 8.30p.m and had a group
photo session. It was truly an eye opening experience for all of us.
Written by Esther Woo (HB1)
Venue : Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre, Pahang
Time : 8.00 a.m. - 5.30 p.m.
Principal & Lecturers : Ms Lauren Wilson, Ms. Koh Jee Yin, Ms Azreena Azman, Mr Fong Mun Chou
Number of Students : 40
This was a day trip organized by the South Australian Matriculation Programme of Taylor’s
College Sri Hartamas. The aim of this trip was to educate the students on the conservation of
elephants and what this community is doing to save the endangered Malaysian elephants.
We left the college at 8.00 a.m, bright and early as the conservation centre was quite a distance
away. It took us almost 2 hours until we finally arrived at the destination. Upon arrival, we were
welcomed by the rangers of the conservation centre.
We were then led to a screening theater where we watched a documentary about how wild
elephants were captured and translocated to a forest reserve area to ensure they do not bring
harm to the residents. The ranger also told us a brief history about the conservation centre and
had a question and answer session.
After that, we were split into 3 groups and were led by different rangers down to the elephant
sanctuary. There, we saw 6 young elephants separated into 3 compartments and we were given a chance to feed them with sugar canes. The rangers explained to us how to differentiate between a male and a female elephant. The lead ranger also told us more about his experience and gave us some safety tips.
Soon, lunch time arrived. After lunch, the real work begun. One group had to plant trees, one
group raked leaves and cleared the dried branches and the remaining group had to go down the
river to fill up bags of sand for the elephants to walk on when they walk down the river. We all
worked hard under the hot sun, however, we had loads of fun. Everyone did their part and
worked together, including our principal and our lecturers.
Half way through our work, it was time for the elephant bathing session. We were given the
chance to go down the river to bathe the young elephants and to play with them. However, we
had to be careful as the elephant might trample over us when they got too excited. The young
elephants were very tamed and obedient. We continued our work about another hour or so and at
the same time we all played in the river. It was an enjoyable time.
injured elephant. The lead ranger said this was a prohibited area and we were lucky as we were
given this opportunity. After cleaning ourselves up, we left the conservation centre around
5.30p.m. and had dinner at McDonald’s. We arrived at college around 8.30p.m and had a group
photo session. It was truly an eye opening experience for all of us.
Written by Esther Woo (HB1)
