All about Elephants @ Kenyir Elephant Village, Terengganu

Besides squid jigging at the sea, we had been brought to latest tourist attraction at Terengganu. One of the place we visited during the trip was Kenyir Elephant Village. Also known as Kenyir Elephant Camp, KEV is established by the Elephant Management Unit under the authority of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, the Central Terengganu Development Authority (KETENGAH) and the Terengganu State Government.

 

KEV is located at Sg Telemong, Tasik Kenyir, Kuala Terengganu. Compared to Kuala Gandah Elephant Sancturay, KEV is much more spacious, built at land size of 25,600 hectare with eco and natural structure environment.

 

KEV construction started since April 2012. It has observatory towers, a 500 meters suspension bridge, elephant show ground, cafe, ample parking space and a souvenir shop.

 

with Sai Cheng from a local travel magazine

 

It is not only one observatory tower but several which require us to climb up and down. Tiring ok! But the rugged green landscape along the way is picturesque and rewarding.

tree house at Kenyir Elephant Village

KEV is gazetted as a conservation area to preserve elephant habitat and provide natural food sustenance.

 

 Need to climb up the stairs again 

 

 funny and friendly Rachel saying hi to me LOL

 

He wants me to put his photo inside my blog..yes I do as promised...this is second take as the first take both of them look too serious...this photo is rather random yet natural :D 

 

Just like Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary (my old blog post back to 2010), there are activities being held everyday to visitors.

Elephant education show: 10.30am, 3.30pm everyday

 

The show was about 20 minutes but overall it was fun. The elephants are well trained. Refer to the picture taken above, the elephants demonstrating to us how they sleep....their sleeping posture :D

 

 

Next, the elephants showing us some of their talents including putting the hat on our head and give us the great kiss with its trunk....muah xoxo

 

Elephants are used in war and human's great helper to move the tree trunk before the evolution of technology. However, they are no more being used for construction instead people hunt them down for their ivory and valuable parts to sell in the black market. The elephant is one of the endangered species in the world, and therefore conservation action is much needed.

When elephants are being trained to walk in a row, they hold the tail of the elephant at the front.

 

The fun time for  the elephants to spray the whole bucket of water towards the audience xoxo

 

Following then, it was an elephant feeding session. 

 

Visitors not only have chances to feed and take photo with them, but they can also bath with them as well. Again, we need to walk a distance to the riverside.

The canopy walk...bit uncomfortable to walk under the hot sun. There are a few sessions of elephant bathing session: 11am, 2pm and 4pm. So guys if you afraid of getting tanned, it is advisable to choose the morning session :D

 

One of the observatory towers

 

Nope, it is not the river where the elephants bath....gonna walk further...

 

Elephants can swim too, they can breath using the trunk under the water :D

KEV opens daily 9am - 5.30pm, closes for prayer on Friday 12.30pm - 2.30pm.

Address:
Kenyir Elephant Village
Pengkalan Gawi,
Sungai Telemong,
Tasik Kenyir,
Hulu Terengganu 

My heartfelt thanks to Tourism Terengganu and Gaya Travel for the invitation of the trip.