The Legend of the Elephant Named Aduka in Gerik
An elephant named Mek Seri Wangi, better known as Aduka, was very famous in Gerik back in the 1980s. When speaking about elephants in Gerik, it comes as no surprise, as we are all aware that elephants were synonymous with the early society in our country long before the dawn of independence.
The original residents and elders in Gerik are certainly familiar with the story of a massive elephant named Aduka, who has now become a legend. Since Aduka's heyday, it was often seen by locals when it was brought to the airport by the military. Aduka's presence there did not worry the locals in the slightest because it was said to be very tame.
Aduka from behind, image credit to dida-didsworld
This legendary elephant named Aduka was originally discovered while roaming in the Belum Forest. It is estimated that Aduka was found in the 1980s, and its size was truly formidable, said to be so large it exceeded the height of a house. Despite this, Aduka was quite tame and had a caretaker who never tired of looking after and feeding it since it was first discovered. It is said that Aduka's original caretaker was a sentry member serving in the Area Control Unit (UKK). This individual was responsible for guarding the Temenggor Dam area 24 hours a day, as the dam is vital for the state of Perak and the country of Malaysia. What is interesting about Aduka is that it would act aggressively to defend its territory from being encroached upon by other wild elephants coming from the forest. With its massive body size and white, sharp tusks, Aduka was said to always succeed in preventing these wild elephants from coming and sleeping in the middle of the road, which indirectly prevented the public from using the East-West Highway. For your information, loyal readers of orangperak.com, Aduka was said to always spend its time patrolling its territory in the forest. Aduka would return to the Sentry Camp every two to three weeks to be fed its favorite food. Among Aduka's favorite foods were bread, cereals, white rice mixed with ripe bananas, and many others provided by its caretaker. As we and all East-West Highway users are aware, what is the appropriate action for a driver to take if blocked by a wild elephant during a journey? Yes, of course, we must turn off the car engine, switch off the vehicle lights, not honk, and remain silent while praying that the wild elephant will soon pass by.
Elephant replica in Gerik before independence (not related to Aduka)
Sometimes, Aduka itself was said to block road users from continuing their journey along the East-West Highway. According to local residents, this action by Aduka actually happened because it was its way of signaling that there was danger ahead. It is possible that there was a group of other wild elephants crossing ahead or some other danger. This was proven by an incident where Aduka once blocked a Water Supply Department (JBA) truck from continuing its journey while passing through the East-West Highway. The group of JBA workers was said to be on their way home after finishing inspection duties at the Temenggor Dam. Those who were blocked were said to only be able to remain silent, turn off their vehicle engine, and wait patiently. They simply complied with Aduka's behavior and actions, waiting patiently for Aduka to get up and leave to give way for road users to continue their journey. Their wait lasted from late afternoon until late at night. They waited for nearly five hours for Aduka to get up and move away. Immediately after Aduka returned to the deep forest, they continued their journey home. While on their way home and not far from the location where they were held up by Aduka, they were shocked to see the condition of the trees on the left and right sides of the road, which had been severely trampled by a herd of wild elephants.
Mek Seri Wangi or Aduka
Indirectly, Aduka's action of blocking their journey had saved them from being trampled by a herd of wild elephants. This might have been a coincidence, but the theory regarding the blockades carried out by Aduka to protect road users is proven by many other events similar to the story of these JBA workers. Towards the end of Aduka's life, a fight occurred between Aduka and a wild elephant from the forest that had a docked tail. The fight took place at the Temenggor Camp, and the aftermath of the fight between the two elephants caused Aduka to fall ill, and eventually, Aduka died. For those who served there in the 1980s, they will certainly never forget the memories shared with Aduka. Now, the story of Aduka has become a legend, increasingly forgotten as time passes.
