Nature’s beauty: A muster of storks looking for food such as fish, eel and insects around a paddy field in Pulau Bangau, Teluk Intan. The birds add a touch of allure to the scenic beauty of the area. — Bernama
TELUK INTAN: Previously known as Teluk Anson, Teluk Intan is known for its “Menara Condong”, a clock tower that is often called Malaysia’s version of the leaning tower of Pisa.
The 128-year-old colonial era clock tower, which originally served as a water tank, is one reason why Teluk Intan draws hundreds of local and foreign visitors.
Now, this historic mining town along Sungai Perak has added another reason for tourists and nature lovers to come here – Pulau Bangau, an islet that is home to more than 30,000 birds of various species.
The 6ha islet in Sungai Perak is inhabited by more than 10 species of stork, as well as other types of birds, says Sahril Mustafa, 35, who runs a cruise on the river.
The stork species include those locally known as bangau besar, bangau batu, bangau bakau, bangau Cina, bangau kendi, bangau kerbau and bangau paya. Other species are the little egret, cattle egret and meageret egrets, and different types of eagles.
“What is interesting is that some of the bird species are migratory birds from India and Thailand which come to the island to breed” he told Bernama here.
“One of the factors why the island has become a habitat for various species of birds is because of its location, which is away from humans, and the presence of ample food sources,” said Muhammad Sahril, a Teluk Intan native.
The birds normally start looking for food at about 5.30am in the padi fields surrounding Teluk Intan and Seberang Perak before returning to their nests at 6.30pm, he said.
The river has 18 other interesting locations for cruise passengers he said.
“These include a sunken steamship, shipyards, fish breeding farms and a Buddha statue at the Pulau Rawa ferry service. These locations have their own stories and history,” he added.
River cruise passenger Razali Isa, 35, described his visit to Pulau Bangau as a memorable one.
“It was an interesting experience that is difficult to get elsewhere. The most exciting is watching a flock of birds flying against the backdrop of the green scenery of the island,” said the father of three from Sungai Petani, Kedah.
Chee Wan Chai, 40, from Johor, said Pulau Bangau and other locations along the river are must-visit locations.
“For me, these locations are important because of their historical value. While being able to learn more about these places, my visit also helped instill a love for nature,” he added.
