Friday November 6, 2009
MotoGP foursome thrilled to visit Elephant Conservation Centre
MOTOGP Riders, Loris Capirossi, Hector Barberá, Hiroshi Aoyama and Nicholas Terol set aside their bikes and rode elephants instead as they visited the Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre in the Pahang jungle recently.
The riders took part in activities like feeding the elephants during their lunch and enjoying a ride on the mammals.
Terol took the opportunity to ride the elephant in the river. “I’ve always loved animals and this is my first time having such a close encounter with these amazing animals.
View from above: Capirossi about to go on an elephant ride. “I almost feel like Mogly from Jungle Book,” said the young Jack & Jones WRB Aprilia team rider.
“In contrast to Japan’s urban jungle filled with high-rise buildings, this is a fascinating journey to come out here to experience elephants in such a beautiful environment,” said Hiroshi who rides for the Scot Racing team in the 250cc class.
Capirossi, who is by far the most experienced rider on the MotoGP grid and a pedigree in Grand Prix racing that few can challenge, enjoyed his experience feeding the elephants and absorbing the lush green surroundings.
Slow ride: Barbera (left) and Terol (centre) giving the thumbs-up during their elephant ride. Barbera who has a tattoo of an elephant said: “These elephants face a danger of extinction and is certainly no laughing matter.
“Hence, it is both sad yet encouraging to witness them being rehabilitated and relocated to greener pastures.”
The sanctuary’s caretakers, part of the Malaysian Department of Wildlife and National Parks, shared a brief history of the establishment communicating the importance of such efforts in preserving the almost extinct Asian elephant.
Established in 1989, the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary is aimed at locating, subduing and translocating elephants from areas where their habitats are encroached by plantations or other human developments to other suitable habitats such as Taman Negara.
The sanctuary houses 17 elephants aged between five and 71 years which are brought in not only from other parts of Malaysia but also from Thailand, Myanmar and India.
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