From 2000 to 2005, this section used to contain photos and bios of all of the orphan elephants at the centre, but we just couldn't keep up with all of the changes! From 2005 to 2008, when we were still running our elephant adoption program, we offered to send people bios of the orphan elephants residing at the centre, but now that we are winding down operations (including the adoption program), we are no longer able to do this. But, to get a sense of some of the elephants and their quirky, individual personalities, please see the write-ups below for the working elephants.

Myan Thon Pyan and Lokimala Myan Thon Pyan (also known as Metho Pian, pictured right) is about 30 years old. Metty came from Burma many years ago to be trained for translocations. Metty has a bit of a rebellious side, but she becomes quite friendly when she senses the presence of her favourite food -- the durian -- a delicious but extremely smelly fruit found in the tropical jungles of Asia. Metty also has a playful side. She has been known to spray people with water from her trunk and likes to explore pockets and untie shoelaces. Lokimala, an Indian elephant, is a comparatively new elephant to the centre. She was transferred from Melaka Zoo and is now the main elephant used in the relocation program, partnered up with one of the Meks (see below). Lokimala likes to use little twigs to scratch face and to clean her toenails. She also loves to smell peoples' feet, gently sniffing them and curling her trunk around the bottom. Perhaps not unique to her, Lokimala loves food. Her favourite food appears to be fruit and whenever she sees anyone, she lifts her head and opens her mouth in anticipation of a tasty treat.

Chek Mek and Mek Bunga Chek Mek and Mek Bunga are the centre's two oldest elephants. Both are well into their 60s. They came to Malaysia from Thailand in the 1970s. Both have been at the centre since it was first opened, but have been working as translocation elephants for the Malaysian Department of Wildlife since 1974. Until recently, Chek Mek and Mek Bunga have almost always worked together translocating wild "nuisance" elephants from plantations and population centres to national parks in Malaysia (Lokimala, see above, is now the main translocation elephant in partnership with one of the Meks). Thanks to their efforts, the wild elephant population in Malaysia has gone from an alarming low of about 500 to over 1200. In fact, Chek Mek and Mek Bunga have often been featured as celebrity elephants in the local and national newspapers because of the valuable role that they have played in environmental conservation.

Chek Mek and a mahout push a truck out of the mud.

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