Elephant sanctuary completion on track

The sanctuary is on track to be opened to the public by 2025.

THE Johor Elephant Sanctuary (JES) project in Kota Tinggi is now in the second phase of construction.

State Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) director Aminuddin Jamin said the construction was on track to meet its deadline by next year.

“Hopefully, there will not be any delay in the second phase because if there is, then we may have to push the opening to early 2026,” he said when contacted by StarMetro.

He said the first phase of the project saw the construction of elephant paddocks, grazing fields, bridges, main entrances, administration building, and workers’ barracks.

The second phase will see the construction of public facilities such as walkways and a souvenir shop.

Aminuddin says JES’ location is ideal.

Aminuddin said the sanctuary’s location, within a 72.9ha land area near the Kota Tinggi Waterfall, was ideal.

The main reason for JES is to help curb human and elephant conflicts in Johor, he said.

“The area is near Panti Forest, which is connected to the elephant corridor that is known as one of the animal migratory routes,” he said.

“With JES in that location, we can attract the elephants.

“We have several elephants at JES which are used to guide wild elephants. Food is also placed at the grazing field to help keep them from entering areas inhabited by humans.”

Aminuddin said the JES elephants would be used as part of the department’s education programme to create public awareness.

He said JES would also have a dedicated team including an in-house veterinarian to take care of the elephants’ well-being inside the sanctuary.