Deerland and Mek Su

With Muda, the honeybear at Deerland Park, Kuala Gandah.

Playing with Siput, the orphant female baby elephant found in Sg. Siput.

Foreground is Berabung.

With Berabung or Mek Su when I first met him. He was the male 3 year old baby elephant found in Rompin, Johor.

It was a wonderful day for me and Najidah on Christmas day. Being a public holiday, we decided to go to Kuala Gandah again, this time specially to visit Deerland Park and to see my sweetheart 'Mek Su' again. I brought a bunch of bananas specially for 'Mek Su'.

Feeding the deer at Deerland park.





It was drizzling but since we were early, we entered the park for RM 5 (too cheap!) and fed the deer. Boy, it was so exciting!! The deer came in group to 'attack' you as you brought their food provided by the park. We had to lift the food high above our heads and the deer stretched themselves standing on 2 feet to reach for the food. Some were even taller than us. I got a few paws marks on my white blouse. Since there was only one family with us, we had the deer attention and they surrounded us for food. Unfortunately, as more people came, the drizzle turned to rain and the ground became slippery. You see, the hundred over deer there ate up all the undergrowth and the grass, leaving the ground bald. The park has to be closed when it rains, turning away visitors who plan to see the elephants in the afternoon after Deerland.

Muda, the male honeybear at Deerland Park.

Najidah and I with Muda, the male honeybear at Deerland Park.

Najidah with a baby python. Eeeeks, I won't touch it!

The little white hechhog at the Deerland Park.

Beside deer, there were also other animals which visitors can play with such as the baby python, the flying fox, the ostrich, the beautiful paraquets from Brazil and the most awesome was Muda, the male honeybear. Touching, hugging and feeding Muda was an amazing experience. He licked at the condensed milk smeared on your hand by the ranger and you can feel the rough tongue. He was so obedient sitting at the short stump of trunk waiting for more milk and enjoying looking at the curious onlookers. Small children were encouraged to touch him and to feed him. But they should be reminded that they can only do it here but not in the wild or other places unsafe.

The rain stopped us from any other activities and we moved to Kuala Gandah Elephant Snactuary. The place was packed wth visitors. I was wondering why the government does not earn money out of this venture. Why must the government supports these activities for so many visitors coming with free entrance.It is high time, for Jabatan Perhilitan to shift over the burden of financing this place by earning some money. I noticed there was a room to give donation but nobody seems to bother. I can see if entrance was charged at least RM5 per person, the governement can make over a thousand ringgit per day. Charging car parking is another source of income. Usually people demand everthing free but they will not appreciate it. The parking place was littered with rubbish. At least the parking fees can pay for somebody to clean it. I saw the video on Perhilitan staff translocating wild animals to a safer environment like the National Park. It was eally a hard and expensive work. So money should be collected to support part of this effort. Why is it not done? One day goevernment policy might change especilly when the kitty is low, what will happen to this sanctuary?

Anyway, my trip to the elephant sanctuary had a purpose. I have fallen in love with 'Mek Su' as I described it in my old blog. I went there just to see her bringing a bunch of banans as her present. But it seems I have fallen in love with right baby elephant but got the name all wrong. One of the staff told me that 'Mek Su' is actually an elephant command, meaning 'sit down'. The elephant that I came to see is actualy Berabung or Bong the 3 year old baby male elephant found abandoned in Berabung Felda in Rompin. So I have to change and align my thinking and feeling to Berabung, not Mek Su.

Berabung and Siput frolicking in the river with visitors.

Walking Berabung and Siput to the river.

I met Berabung, thanks to Suhaimi and the other 2 mahoots who explained about Berabung. I was introduced to Siput, the female 3 year old baby elephnat found in Sg. Siput. She is just as good-looking as Berabung and so very adorable. But my attention was on Berabung whom I have refered to and loved as Mek Su and a he not a she. I hugged, talked and rubbed him and told him that he is just as amazing as I have met him before. With the mahoots, Najidah and I walked together with Berabung and Siput to the river for their bath with the visitors. Both elephants and visitors seemed to enjoy frolicking in the river. I stayed on the bank watching the activity waiting for Berabung and Siput to come up. Najidah has bought peanut as the mahoot said they love peanuts. The peanut feeding was thrilling. Both Berabung and Siput didn't seem to have enough, to the delight of the onlookers. It was such a thrilling experience as I hugged goodbye to both of them.

This is not going to be my last visit as I have promised Berabung and Siput to see them again. My attempt to volunteer my sevice was turned down by Jabatan Perhilitan. They responded to my email to say they don't need volunteers. I think they do, the least they can ask me to help is picking loads of rubbish left by the irresponsible visitors. I would do it. Well, I tried but was not welcomed.

Berabung and Siput saying goodbye as they were led to their shed.






For further information on Deerland Park, you can call En. Abdullah, mobile 013-9676242 or office line 09-2797249 or fax: 09- 2779305.

email: kraunaturepark@yahoo.com

Deerland Park, thank you for a very exciting day. Berabung, I still love you no matter what your name is and Siput too.

Najidah and I really had a great time and I thank God for giving me the time and the energy to see the greatness He has created.