Tourism Malaysia, a sponsor of the A1 Team Malaysia, has organized a trip to Kuala Gandah Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary today for some 25 A1GP drivers and team members.

Held in conjunction with the upcoming A1GP World Cup of Motorsport to be held at the Sepang International Circuit from 21 to 23 November, the sanctuary visit aims to highlight the unique indigenous culture of the Orang Asli and wildlife conservation efforts in Malaysia to the drivers and guests.

The A1GP drivers and team members were welcomed and greeted by the Orang Asli with an indigenous dance. Officials from Tourism Malaysia’s Pahang office and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks were also present at the briefing session which was followed by a tour of the sanctuary.

The group was given the opportunity to ride and feed the elephants. An adoption scheme was also introduced to the drivers to adopt an elephant. A media interview session with the A1GP drivers was held during lunch at the sanctuary.

The A1GP drivers who visited the elephant sanctuary were:

·        A1 Team Malaysia: Fairuz Fauzy and Aaron Lim

·        A1 Team India: Narain Karthikeyan

·        A1 Team Ireland     : Adam Carroll

·        A1 Team Lebanon: Daniel Morad

·        A1 Team Indonesia: Satrio Hermanto

·        A1 Team France: Loic Duval

·        A1 Team Mexico: David Garza

·        A1 Team Portugal: Filipe Albuquerque

·        A1 Team Switzerland: Neel Jani (Current A1GP World Cup of Motorsport Champion) and Alexandre Imperatori

·        A1 Team Great Britain: Danny Watts

Backgrounder
Established by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks in 1989, the Kuala Gandah Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary acts as a base for the Elephant Relocation Team, which began the elephant translocation programme since 1974. It is estimated that there are only 1,200 wild Asian elephants, also known as Elephus Maximus, left in Malaysia and this is the only conservation centre set up to relocate these displaced pachyderms.

For more information about the Kuala Gandah Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary, please visit: http://www.myelephants.org/ or call +603-9075 2872.

For more information on A1GP World Cup Motorsport at the Sepang International Circuit, please log on to www.a1teammalaysia.com.my . 
 
Issued by: Communications & publicity Division, Tourism Malaysia
Date: 20 November 2008
Tourism Infoline: 1300-88-5050
Tel: +603 26158188;
Fax: +603 26158299
Website: www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my