The Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre is essentially a sanctuary for orphaned elephants found in Malaysia. Situated within the bio-diversified wilds of the Krau Game Reserve, the centre was set-up in 1989 under the Department of Wildlife & National Parks, Malaysia.

The Sungai Teris acts as a natural border between the reserve and the Che' Wong Orang Asli village - the last tribe of its kind found in Malaysia. The name Kuala Gandah is, itself, taken from the small stream that runs through the electrified parameters of the centre within which the elephants are allowed to roam from 8.30 a.m. till 2.00 p.m. before they are confined to the roofed holding area.

Before the establishment of the centre, the Elephant Capture & Translocation Unit (ECTU) -- a mobile operating team established in 1974,  had its temporary base at the Jengka Pusat plantation, where a huge area of jungle was carved to make way for the planting of oil palm and rubber trees. This was part of the programme aimed at helping to eradicate poverty amongt the rural folks as well as to rid the area of communist terrorists at the tail end of the protracted silent war known as the Malayan Emergency, which ended  in the 1980s.

The clearing of the jungle created consistent confrontations between the wild elephants and the settlers. The unit remained here until 1981 before it moved to Kuala Lompat on the north eastern side of the Krau Game Reserve. However, it must be noted that the cutting down of the forests here was done for the overall benefit of the local population and not blatantly to satisfy the greed of unscrupulous corporate and political land-grabbers. As such the centre should not be seen as primarily a show-piece for the delight of visitors but a responsible effort to help the elephants.

This unit is one of its kind in the world where the possibilities of being charged or trampled by enraged wild elephants happens for 2 weeks in every month! It is a thankless job where only a very tiny percentage of the general public is aware of the existence, dedication and sacrifices these dedicated men and women make to provide a win-win situation for both the wild elephants and the planters! There are 24 full time and 6 contracted staff working and living in and near the centre.