By Eo Pee See

HULU TERENGGANU, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- Tasik Kenyir, located some 70km from Kuala Terengganu, is among the world's most majestic looking man-made lakes.

The some 380,000 hectares lake is a haven for nature lovers as well as anglers and those who are seeking fun and adventure.

Among the attractions there are waterfalls, caves, rivers, mountains and jungle trails. Water sports enthusiasts who love jet skiing, kayaking and canoeing would find the lake ideal for their activities.

However the lake has something else to offer. Tourists have began to arrive at the Sungai Ketiar elephant sanctuary since it was opened to the public last January 30.

Sandwiched between the National Park and Hulu Besut Forest Reserve and the Kelah (mahseer) sanctuary, the some 15,000 hectares jumbos' sanctuary is the lake's latest tourism draw.

OPERATING HOURS

The public can visit the sanctuary from 9am to 6pm daily, said its manager Zulkifli Ayob.

He said so far 8,800 people including 69 foreign tourists have visited the sanctuary.

"The most number of visitors recorded for the day was 578, which was during the last Labour Day. Most of them were locals who were on their way to Tasik Kenyir and Cameron Highlands," he said.

Zulkifli advised visitors not to be alarmed if they come across a herd of elephants roaming in the area, particularly between the early morning hours from 4.30am to 6.30am.

"To those who are driving through the area, please do not honk or beam your headlights at the wild elephants. This would agitate the pachyderms and that could be dangerous," he cautioned.

CHALIL AND SURIA

There is a pair of 8-year old trained elephants at the sanctuary, named 'Chalil' and 'Suria'.

Chalil is a bull elephant captured in Gua Musang, Kelantan in 2003 while Suria, the female jumbo, was ensnared in Bandar Permaisuri, Setiu in 2005.

According to Zulkifli, before being sent to the sanctuary, both elephants were trained at the National Elephant Conservation Centre in Kuala Gandah, Temerloh, Pahang.

"They were moved here (Sungai Ketiar) just a day before the sanctuary became operational," said zulkifli, who is also the mahout for both elephants.

There are also four trained rangers to look after the two elephants.

FOOD

Zulkifli said it cost about RM2,000 a month to feed the two elephants. The expenditure is funded by the Terengganu state government via the State Economic Planning Unit UPEN).

"Suria and Chalil, which weigh 1.5 tonnes and 1.3 tonnes respectively, need about 100kg of food daily. This comprises bread for breakfast, sugar cane for lunch and fruits like water melons, papaya and potatoes while corn is for dinner," he said.

He said the rangers would let Suria and Chalil roam in the nearby jungle every four days.

"This enables the mammals to familiarise themselves with the jungle surroundings and also helps them to herd with the wild jumbos in the area," he said.

FUTURE PLANS

Meanwhile the Terengganu Wildlife Protection and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) Director Rozidan Md Yasin said the sanctuary is the first of such facility in the state and it is a joint project between the Terengganu government and Perhilitan (Wildlife Department).

"Perhilitan implements and monitors the project while the state government provides the funding.

"As the project is still in its infant stage, entry to the sanctuary is free of charge. However this may change in due course," he said.

AWARENES

Rozidan said the sanctuary also serves to boost public awareness on the need to protect our wildlife.

"Our wildlife have often fallen as victims to poachers who are out to make a quick profit on the illicit animal parts market," he said.

Rozidan also called on all parties to join hands to provide more awareness among the younger generation, on the importance of protecting the wildlife in the country.

-- BERNAMA