Liew (right) is seen “befriending” Agatis as two elephant keepers look on.
KINABATANGAN: The Sabah Wildlife Department has been urged to enhance the role and capability of the Bornean Elephant Sanctuary (BES) as a tourist attraction.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew made the call during her visit to the BES here Monday.
Established in 2013, the BES, which is an integral part of the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, is home to two adults, four juveniles and two elephant calves.
The Minister noted that there is ample room for conservation and tourism development, given that only 32 hectares of the 26,000-hectare Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary have been developed so far.
“Visitors who are unable to spot elephants along the Kinabatangan River by boat will come to the BES for a close-up view of the mammals,” said Liew, who was impressed with the Visitor’s Information Centre there.
In her briefing, District Wildlife Officer for Kinabatangan and Tongod, Sylvia Alsisto said the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, situated along the lower Kinabatangan River, was gazetted in 2005 as an important area for wildlife conservation in Sabah.
“The sanctuary is home to many species of fish, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians,” she said, adding there are 10 primates and eight species of hornbills.
The BES serves multiple roles : Temporary holding facility for rescued elephants; Treatment facility for injured elephants; Facility for elephant training and rehabilitation process; Facility for research and resource centre for Bornean Elephant; Information and tourism centre for Bornean Elephant; Training facility for handling elephants in captivity; Nature centre for Bornean Elephant conservation education.
During the visit, the Minister had a close encounter with two adorable elephant calves named Agatis, a female aged two years, and Amuak, a male aged 18 months. Agatis and Amuak consume 25 litres and 20 litres of milk daily, respectively.
According to Alsisto, Agatis was found injured when it was saved from a nearby plantation after being separated from the herd about two years ago.
Liew had the opportunity to try her hand at feeding Agatis and Amuak with carrots.
She was accompanied by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai, Deputy Permanent Secretary I Mary Malangking and State Wildlife Department Director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar.
