THE PINNAWELA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE
The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975, commenced with seven orphans. This 24 acre orphanage is situated 80km northeast from Colombo. The orphanage was primarily designed to afford care and protection to the many baby elephants found in the jungle without their mothers. Today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. 24 elephants were born in the park since first elephant born in 1984. With the help of local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawela started a scientific captive breeding program for elephants. Today the Pinnawala orphanage is the biggest herd of captive elephants in the world. Today there are 69 elephants live in the orphanage.
Before the arrival of the British in 1815 an estimated 30,000 elephants lived on the island. Today, their number is around 3,000. The elephant population in the country was close to extinction in 1960s. This prompted the Sri Lankan government to found an orphanage for elephants that had lost their mothers or herds.
The success story of Pinnawela has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world.
Among the elephants is one that lost a foot when it stepped on a mine. Another is blind and is totally reliant on humans. The elephant herd in Pinnawela makes the journey to the river twice a day to bathe under the eyes of the tourists. Who wants to take a picture of the babies feeding in the orphanage has to pay extra for the privilege.
Some 110 people are employed to care for the herd feeding them with leaves from palm trees. About 14,000 kg of food are needed every day. The Pinnawela elephant orphanage is financed by the government and by charging visitors to see the animals.
Before the arrival of the British in 1815 an estimated 30,000 elephants lived on the island. Today, their number is around 3,000. The elephant population in the country was close to extinction in 1960s. This prompted the Sri Lankan government to found an orphanage for elephants that had lost their mothers or herds.
The success story of Pinnawela has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world.
Among the elephants is one that lost a foot when it stepped on a mine. Another is blind and is totally reliant on humans. The elephant herd in Pinnawela makes the journey to the river twice a day to bathe under the eyes of the tourists. Who wants to take a picture of the babies feeding in the orphanage has to pay extra for the privilege.
Some 110 people are employed to care for the herd feeding them with leaves from palm trees. About 14,000 kg of food are needed every day. The Pinnawela elephant orphanage is financed by the government and by charging visitors to see the animals.
Daily Activities
Animals are allowed to roam freely during the day.
The babies are fed on milk and walked 400m to river Maha Oya for 1 hour bath can be seen.
Between 16.30 and 18.00 in the evening the animals are taken to their stalls and tethered for the night.
The babies are fed on milk and walked 400m to river Maha Oya for 1 hour bath can be seen.
Between 16.30 and 18.00 in the evening the animals are taken to their stalls and tethered for the night.
Bottle feeding 15 minutes from 09:15 am, 01:15 pm, 05:15 pm
Elephant bathing 1hour from 10:00am, 02:00pm, 04:00pm
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