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June 14, 2008
This Spring, the Malaysian Elephant Appeal developed its three-year plan, which it then used to create a project plan for 2008. This year the Appeal will focus on a couple of initiatives. The first is to protect some of the key trees within the enclosure. When we first designed the enclosure, we designed two of them that were to be used on a rotating basis to prevent soil compaction and to allow for plant and tree regeneration. For whatever reason, Kuala Gandah has not rotated their use of enclosures and, as a result, the trees are dying and eventually the elephants will have no shade (which they need). Over the past few years, the Malaysian Elephant Appeal has tried to protect the trees (low-cost, temporary methods such as putting sharp rocks around the base of the trees) and to encourage Kuala Gandah to do rotation. This time though, for the tree protection, we are going to use a more durable method that should withstand the wear and tear of elephants over the long run. We will also aim for a design that will both protect the trees and provide an alternative surface for the elephants to rub against. And, of course, we will also continue to encourage Kuala Gandah to start rotating use of the enclosures and really, really, really try to figure out what the barriers are to them doing this. The other initiatives that the Malaysian Elephant Appeal will help out with are both at the request of Kuala Gandah. One is to help with the cost of thatched roof repairs for the elephant riding platform, etc. The other is to help with the cost of a trainer for the mahouts. Kuala Gandah management first raised the idea of a training project back in September but they haven't had time to put together a formal proposal of their idea. Once they have given that to the Appeal, the initiative will go forth. (photo: from Lianne and Peter's trip -- since the elephants have been free to roam in the enclosure (as opposed to being chained 24-hours a day), they have been able to socially interact, their behaviour has improved and they are no longer suffering from foot and leg wounds and infections)
February 7, 2008
In January, Lianne and Peter flew from Canada to Kuala Gandah (don't worry... they used their own funds) to see how things were going. Although they have remained involved in the Malaysian Elephant Appeal over these past 7 years, this was the first time they had visited the elephant centre since leaving Malaysia in 2000. They were really impressed with the improvements that have been made there, both on the part of the Malaysian Elephant Appeal (via the Rotary Club of Temerloh) and on the part of Kuala Gandah itself. While they were there, Lianne and Peter consulted with the management at Kuala Gandah, as well as the Malaysian Elephant Appeal volunteers in Kuala Lumpur, to see what other projects the Malaysian Elephant Appeal could do to improve the centre. More details on this will be posted later (photos from Lianne and Peter's trip: a partial view of the elephants in the 1.5 acre enclosure).
September 16, 2007
This summer we met with Siti Hawa, the Director of Conservation at the Department of Wildlife and National Parks and brought her up to date on the Malaysian Elephant Appeal and possible projects for the Kuala Gandah elephant centre. The meeting ended with her promise to set up a meeting with the management of the elephant centre for further discussion. Although this meeting has yet to occur, we have continued our own discussions with Kuala Gandah around what their current needs are. The manager has re-articulated the need for further training for the staff, particularly around elephant handling and best practices with regards to translocations. Given the recent news in Pahang around proposed developments that may result in habitat loss for Asian elephants (NGOs vehemently protested, but it looks like the developments will still be going ahead), the Malaysian Elephant Appeal has tentatively agreed to help make the training happen so that the elephant centre will be prepared to deal with the anticipated influx of elephant translocation requests.
July 14, 2007
Apologies for the lack of updates. If there is one thing we have learned in our 7 years of existence, it is that things take a long time when there are many different stakeholders involved. The good news is that things at Kuala Gandah have improved over the years. Nicole, a New Zealander and one of our former volunteers, was recently in Malaysia and visited Kuala Gandah and said that she was both pleased and impressed at how things have notably gotten better at the centre.
Some things that the Malaysian Elephant Appeal has been up to involve sending out the DVD to our donors and supporters and continuing discussions with the DWNP on the possibility of night stalls for the elephants. We have also got a draft of the next newsletter and will be sending that out shortly. Also, another local Rotary Club, the Rotary Club of Bentong, recently organized a very successful environmental awareness programme and visit to the elephant centre for 50 Interactors (the youth section of the service group) and teachers from Bentong.
March 19, 2007
A couple of updates. We're still advocating for utilization of the other half of the enclosure. We've been told by the elephant centre that it will be included in the government's 9th Malaysian Plan. We're not quite sure yet what exactly that means and so shall keep the topic on the radar screen for further discussion.
Also, the elephant centre has asked that the Malaysian Elephant Appeal (MEA) provide help in sending new Kuala Gandah staff to Thailand for training. We are willing to support this initiative but have suggested that it may be more economical to bring a trainer from Thailand to the elephant centre rather than to send several staff to Thailand. The DWNP and MEA will discuss the logistics of this over the next couple of months.
January 29, 2007
The DVD is now finished and 2000 copies have been made. To fundraise for the elephant projects, the Rotary Club of Temerloh took 1000 copies to sell at events such as their annual New Year's dinner (RM10 or RM5 for students) and the rest we may distribute free to schools and other community groups for use as an educational tool.
Updates Archive 2000 to Mid-2006
Click here for updates from 2006 back to the beginning of the Malaysian Elephant Appeal in April 2000.
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