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 An official research trip to Kuala Keniam was done in conjunction to a research workshop activity at Travelers Home at Kuala Tahan. A total of 15 researchers from the University congregate for discussion over research publication.
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Making sure to have 'teh tarik' and 'roti canai' at the jetty restaurant before the journey
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The two teams with differing missions set out to our destination towards our University's research station at Kuala Keniam.
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UiTM official boat awaiting to journey us upstream
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Jetty steps to Kampung Pagi, on the right bank of the river.
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Fisherman sewing nettings on to cage frames
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Caged fish-farming industry along the Tembeling river
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Also used for beach volleyball net by the local boys
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Arriving at UiTM-Perhilitan Research Station at Kuala Keniam
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While the other group of researcher is on a mission to collect data on flora and trees, my team led by Salleh, and Ruzed is on our quest for recording wild animal footprints.
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Researchers stepping into the jungle behind the Research Station Complex
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A signposting of direction of jungle trails to Perkai (4km), Gua Daun Menari (4km), Gua Luas (4km) and Gua Kepayang (8km)
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Not very far from the research station base, we spotted a fresh footprint of an elephant.
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And subsequently seeing evidence of elephant fecal droppings along the trail
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More and more droppings seen along the jungle trail.
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Judging from the decaying composition, it is still new
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A highly venomous red giant centipede, crossing our path
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After about 2km of walking, we reached a small stream.
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The water is crystal clear, and many 'Sebarau' fishes are seen swimming around.
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Curious as to whether it will lead back to the main Keniam River or not, we decided to wade downstream.
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Salleh led the way, followed by Ruzed and finally me.
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The passage gets deeper and eventually almost impenetrable.
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It soon became obvious that we were trekking through the same trail done by the herds of wild elephants.
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The white mushrooms growing on the droppings showed that it was dropped quite some time back, indicating that the herd could possibly by now be trailing from behind us.
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We gave eventually up, and decided to search upstream instead, to locate the source from where it came from
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The fallen undergrown by the riverbank is caused by the tramping of elephant foots as they descend downhill.
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Elephant foot prints causes collapsing of the river banks
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Traces of broken bamboos been tramped and shoots eaten by them
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On the opposite side of the bank is where they would had all disappeared.
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Elephant excrement already mouldy and with mushrooms is seen on the opposite bank, which meant that they have long gone.
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We still pressed on to explore further upstream
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Footprints of otters was seen on the sands on the river bank
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The river trail gets more and more difficult to pass through
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And in some areas the water is almost thigh deep.
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At this juncture, we knew that our challenge is encountering huge obstacles.
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The huge fallen tree across the stream marks the end of our quest, and we headed back.
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As we rested by the stream for some bites of fruits, four German visitors passes by on their way to camp in Gua Kepayang located another 6km away..
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Despite in vain to actually encounter the beasts in our search for the elephants or wild animals, somehow we did locate traces of them. It was still quite a rewarding experience for all of us.
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A qualified, English speaking Orang Asli (native) Ranger leading the tourists to the caves.
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After a good rest, the tourists bid us goodbye and proceed on with their journey
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Tracking the trail using my GPS reading, and superimposing it on Google Earth satellite map
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The Keniam Research station and the Tembeling River is on the extreme east of the picture. For that morning without realising, we have trekked almost 2km deep into the virgin rainforest of Taman Negara.
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