Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary (Animal & nature)

Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary

The Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary is situated in Kerian of the state of Perak. It was in 1970 that the park was established by the Wildlife and National Parks to protect migratory and resident species of birds.

Its main objective of the sanctuary is to safeguard migratory and resident species birds which have been occupying the wetland area for a long time. The mudflat area is used by the migratory birds to feed and to rest during their migratory route from the northern to the southern hemisphere. 48 species from eight families of birds visit Kuala Gula from September to April every year. Their numbers are no less than tens of thousands each year.

Some of these birds even come from Siberia in Russia, Kazakhstan, Japan, China and Mongolia. The mangrove swamp forest and mudflat of Kuala Gula are not only essential for migratory birds but also for the 600 families of fishermen who rely solely on the mangrove forests and marine ecosystem for their livelihood. Fishermen here make a living by either being involved in cockle farming, aquaculture, crabs, shrimp and fishing.

Eco-tourism is slowly gaining popularity in Kuala Gula. This will slowly aid in helping fisherman make a better living in the near future. Last year alone, Kuala Gula received 5000 visitors. The fishermen living around the mangrove swamp forest have made ends meets within the natural ecosystem of the forest for many decades. The dependence on the swamp forest will continue to grow in the next generations to come.

The Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary has won the "Best Tourist Attraction (Natural Attraction)" category during the Malaysia Tourism Awards, a prestigious award presented to agencies and organisations which contribute to the development of tourism in Malaysia.

How to get there

By road

Although the bird sanctuary is in the state of Perak, it is actually easier to get to it from Butterworth (Penang). Take the North-South Expressway south from Butterworth (Penang) for about 30 minutes, then turn off at Jawi for the town of Kuala Kurau. Another 30 minutes onwards and you should see the signs for the sanctuary.

URL:

http://perak.attractionsinmalaysia.com/Kuala-Gula-Bird-Sanctuary.php