Elephants, one of the most majestic species that continue to roam the earth in modern times, face a multitude of issues that threaten their continued existence. In the African and Asian continents, for instance, elephants are often hunted and killed for ivory, while in other parts of the world, elephants are also captured and sold for a variety of purposes. Furthermore, one of the fundamental concerns faced by this species is the loss of its natural habitat due to the growth in the human population, human settlements and destruction of the natural environment. The final outcome of these threats is the increasing fragmentation of elephant communities, leading to the isolation of the young calves. A number of organisations around the world have attempted to remedy such issues through the establishment of elephant orphanages, and the Kuala Gandah Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary is one such example in Malaysia.
Located close to Kuala Lumpur, the Kuala Gandah Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary was established by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Malaysia in 1989. For tourists staying at hotels such as AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort, visiting this sanctuary is a must. Other things to do in Sepang include opting for a Mangrove River Cruise, exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Historical Malacca and visiting Banghuris Agro.
As the Sanctuary is a fairly popular attraction for those visiting Malaysia, and given that the Kuala Gandah Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary regulates admissions based on daily quotas, it is recommended that tourists and visitors make advance bookings to avoid disappointment. Visitors to the Sanctuary will have the opportunity to watch elephants being fed and washed while also having the opportunity to ride an elephant into the river.
Visiting the Elephant Sanctuary is an exciting and interesting experience, especially for animal lovers, and is indeed a must-visit for tourists visiting Malaysia.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.
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