Pinnawela
Sri Lanka, is world famous for Ceylon Tea, Gems,
Spices & of course her Elephants! The majestic pachyderms
are part & parcel of her glorious past & were the
preferred vehicle for Kings. Rulers of old led their
armies to battle, riding Elephants! Ancient records,
rock carvings & paintings depict the pride of place,
the Elephant enjoyed. Elephants played a key role
as a beast of burden, long before heavy machinery
was invented, & is used even today for heavy work.
Before the arrival of the British in 1815, there were
around 30,000 Elephants in the island. By 1960 the
numbers had declined drastically to around 6000! With
the threat of extinction, conservation became imperative.
Located 80km from Colombo, along the Kandy road is
the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. The only one of
its kind in the whole world, this facility was established
in 1974, on a picturesque coconut plantation, 24 acres
in extent, & originally catered to abandoned or injured
baby elephants but soon developed into a captive breeding
centre & a hub for study & research.
Managed by the National Zoological Gardens & having
its own very successful captive breeding program,
today it has a herd of over 80 Elephants! The largest
herd of captive elephants, any where in the world!!
The first baby was born in 1983 & some of the original
orphans are now Grand Parents!! The animals roam freely
within the parkland, until they are herded during
feeding times, two or three times a day.
This herd comprises of delightful baby elephants &
specimens of various ages & sizes including Tuskers!
The oldest is a massive tusker, Raja, blinded by a
poacher’s failed attempt to get its Tusks! Then there
is Sama, who had her leg blown off by a land mine!
The biggest land mammals living in such a unique environment
has made Pinnawela, a must see destination on every
tourists itinerary.
Pinnawela today, attracts hundreds of foreign tourists,
thousands of locals as well as Scientists & Zoologists
from several countries, intent on studying & doing
research. Many research papers have been published
already, in several languages.
The Elephants daily routine is an absolute delight
& it is advisable to spend at least half a day to
really absorb the ambience. Feeding times are an absolute
treat! With the babies being fed, copious amounts
of milk, off the bottle!! Photo opportunities are
a plenty & the photogenic animals are usually very
cooperative. The adults need about 250kg of fodder
a day!! Comprising mainly of palm trees, most of which
is supplied from two state run farms.
Once fed, the whole herd crosses the road, ambles
down to the Maha Oya (a river near by) for their bath
which takes place twice a day. This is an amazing
spectacle & a visual feast!! Some lounge on their
sides allowing the mahouts to scrub them down, some
spraying water on them selves through their long trunks,
the loners ambling away towards the far bank, the
baby elephants kind of getting lost in the crowd,
some times with only the tips of their trunks above
water! But never getting trampled! Photo opportunities
galore.
One never really tires of watching Elephant & so many
in such a setting. Out of this world!!
The loads of Elephant dung have spawned an industry!
Paper, Boxes, Gifts, Stationery, Note books & Photo
frames & Albums.
Elephants & Sri Lanka are synonymous. The success
of Pinnawela, augers well for the future of this lovely
island nation.
Savor the delights of Pinnawela & take away a little
bit of paradise, in your minds eye!!
