Remember me? I am the traveler that loves zoo.
Just my luck right, visiting Kenyir Elephant Village in
Terengganu!? When everyone else is looking forward for the Waterpark at the lake
here, I was counting hours to my elephant trip (still excitedly jumping up and
down while writing this, despite the fact I visited quite a while ago). My
expectation was simple and very low (I hate getting disappointed you see), I
assume it is similar to those I saw in Thailand or perhaps the one in Kuala
Gandah Pahang. Both are equivalently good but nothing much to shout about,
unlike the one I visited in Sri Lanka; Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. That was
quite an experience, something that I will share with everyone and encourages
everybody to visit with no regrets. You can read my Sri Lanka stories HERE.
Enough rambling Lily. Let’s talk about the one in Kenyir.
The one I lowered my expectation. The one I assume I get to see the elephant in
the usual surrounding.
Boy, was I wrong. VERY WRONG.
Ahaks.
(Good that I am wrong though)
Upon arriving to Kenyir Elephant Village, I was rather
impress with the new parking lot, but then again it is not the parking lot I
wanted to see (I calmed myself [lowerkan expectation tuh]). After the entrance
area, we are required to walk and climb a tall building/structure.
“Hemmm…. For the life of me, I can’t brain this. Why do I
need to climb this 2-3 storey high building? Not that the elephant sits on a
tree (eyes rolling)” I told myself, half curious and half annoyed. Abit
judgemental pulak. Aishh….
Just then I heard water streaming down the river, my
immediate respond was to look up… CANOPY WALK! Apa lagi, I ran up the building
to naik the titi gantung lah. I am pelik liddat!
Mind you, that was not the only canopy walk, there were many
more and you can see elephants taking a stroll in their natural habitat.
Perfect.
Background :
Kenyir Elephant Village is the latest addition to Tasik
kenyir’s vast attractions, it was built in 2012 and cover of 256 hectares of
land, but only 20% of the area are developed and the rest of them remain
untouched. The purpose of keeping the 80% area untouched is to protect the wild
also the forest.
The main concept of KEV is to educate public about the
habitat and behaviour of the elephant and brighten up the nature atmosphere to
the public. Additionally, Canopy walk are built for tourism to experience a
majestic adventure with different viewing angle for the habitat of elephant and
discover the scenic view of the nature forest.
Aside from the show, there are also elephant education
tutorial whereby the rangers with teach the public on awareness, there are 2
session as of now; 10:30am and 3:30pm, elephant ride, photo opp, feeding the
mamals and bathing time of which most people enjoy watching them taking their
bath.
I have to admit, I am fascinated with the whole attraction area
and how the management came out with such a great idea. Let me stress again,
the place is big huge! You can check out my pictures HERE.
Managing Human-Elephant Conflicts
Kenyir Elephant Village was conceptualised and built in 2012
to educate the public on nature and wildlife. It was set up by the Elephant
Management Unit under the authority of the Department of Wildlife and National
Parks, Central Terengganu Development Authority and Terengganu State
Government. The Elephant Camp is the foremost authority on elephant
translocation to ensure a healthy elephant population and reduce human-elephant
conflict.
Source : http://www.nst.com.my/node/4126
Café is located nearby the bathing area (river) where one
can view this beautiful creature relaxing while being showered by their
caretakers (giler jeles). The scene here is pretty awesome I must say.
How To Get There
If you’re coming from Kuala Lumpur, you can either drive or
take a bus to Tasik Kenyir. The trip will take six to seven hours. But if you’re
flying to Kuala Terengganu, you can take a taxi (RM100 per car) to the main
jetty, Pengkalan Gawi, at the lake. There are also buses to Kuala Berang, the
nearest town to Tasik Kenyir and from there taxis cost RM80 per car to
Pengkalan Gawi. From this point, the last leg of your journey to your preferred
resort or chalet will be across water. Water transportation is the most
important mode of travel in Lake Kenyir. All boats are located at Gawi Jetty.
Lake Kenyir is 40km west of Kuala Berang and 55km from Kuala Terengganu.
Address
Kenyir Elephant Village
Pengkalan Gawi, Sungai Telemong
Tasik Kenyir
Hulu Terengganu, Terengganu
Malaysia.
Email : Kenyirelephantvillage@yahoo.com
Note :
Terengganu International Squid Jigging Fest 2015 or Pesta Candat Sotong Antarabangsa Terengganu 2015 is sponsored by the state government of Terengganu, this annual squid jigging carnival aims to introduce as well as relive the old tradition that was once livelihoods for many along the coast of Terengganu between April and August each year.
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