(MY) - elephant sanctuary

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New Straits Times

 

It pays to help elephant sanctuary

M. Hamzah Jamaludin

 

TEMERLOH, Nov 22:

--

 

How much should one pay for a visit to an elephant sanctuary?

The answers may vary, but a general reluctance to pay could jeopardise

the future of an elephant sanctuary in Kuala Gandah, Lanchang, about

70km from here.

 

" It's unfortunate that most of us prefer a 'free ride' at this

sanctuary. Even a ringgit is too much for them, " said Kuala Gandah

Elephant Unit head Nasharuddin Othman.

 

The sanctuary, which received unwanted attention early this year over

allegations of sexual abuse against foreign volunteers, has never

charged its visitors since it was opened in 1990.

 

The management has instead encouraged visitors to donate in cash and kind.

 

Between RM5,000 and RM6,000 is collected every month, but the money

mostly comes from foreign tourists and NGOs.

 

Therefore, the sanctuary depends heavily on the Government's

allocation to cover its operating cost of RM650,000 per year.

 

Nasharuddin said it was worrying as locals made up more than 60 per

cent of the visitors.

 

The number of local tourists has increased tremendously from 1,765 in

2000 to 16,060 last year and 21,172 as at Oct 31. In comparison, the

number of foreign visitors has increased from 406 in 2000 to 8,109

last year and 10,663 this year.

 

" Some foreign visitors even gave additional contributions before they

left as they were totally satisfied with what we have, " said Aslinda

Mohamed, a clerk at the sanctuary.

 

However, she said, some locals complained that the sanctuary was unattractive.

 

" They expect to see elephant shows like those in a zoo or at a circus. "

 

Nasharuddin said many visitors failed to understand that the sanctuary

was a transit point for wild elephants before they were relocated.

 

At present, the staff also take care of two juvenile elephants left by

their herds.

 

Foreigners met at the sanctuary said they did not mind if a fee was imposed.

 

" We should support the sanctuary. It has done so much to help the

animals, " said Rhiannon Vincent, who enjoyed riding and bathing with

the elephants with his two sons.

 

The 39-year-old from Yorkshire, England said visitors should share the

responsibility of maintaining the facility.

 

Dave Jeffreys of Perth, Australia, said the number of visitors to the

sanctuary should also be limited.

 

" Over-commercialisation will affect the animals' wellbeing, " said the

31-year-old script writer.

 

Tour guide K. Shanmuganathan, 37, of Kuala Lumpur said the sanctuary

had done much to educate the public on the importance of the

conservation of elephants.

 

" It's not difficult to explain this to foreigners, but more efforts

are needed to educate our people. "