The Pinnawela elephant Orphanage , established in 1975 , commenced with seven orphans . Today , some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location . The original objective of establishing this orphanage inclined more towards tourism ., but it soon became a conservation and education center .With the help of local and foreign elephant experts , Pinnawela started a scientific captive-breeding program for elephants. The free movements of the herd enhanced the chances for receptive individuals of both sexes to get together and mate . The nearby river played a dominant role in this regard , and in 1984 , the first baby of Pinnawela was born . The success story of Pinnawela has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world .
A conservation program is positioned to work with the rescued elephants .
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is the home for about 60 elephants, out of which many are baby elephants found, abandoned or orphaned in the wild. They are being cared, fed and trained by the wild life authorities. The best time to visit is during the feeding times, when one will have the opportunity of seeing the baby elephants being bottle-fed. Also could accompany the elephants to a river close-by and see the elephants having their daily bath.
Initially this orphanage was at the Wilpattu National Park, then shifted to the tourist complex at Bentota and then to the Dehiwala Zoo. From the Zoo it was shifted to Pinnawela. At the time it was shifted the orphanage had five baby elephants which formed its nucleus. It was hoped that this facility would attract both local and foreign visitors, the income from which would help to maintain the orphanage.
In 1978 the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage was taken over by the National Zoological Gardens from the Department of Wildlife and a captive breeding program launched in 1982. At Pinnawela an attempt was made to simulate, in a limited way, the conditions in the wild. Animals are allowed to roam freely during the day and a herd structure allowed to form.
The Department of National Zoological Gardens has set up an orphanage for baby elephants at Pinnawela which is about 13 Km. from Kegalle Town. on the Kegalle- Rambukkana Road.
Kegalle is 77 Km. from Colombo on the Colombo- Kandy road and the turn off to the orphanage is at the Karandupona Junction.
The orphanage was established to feed, nurse and house young elephants found abandoned by their mothers. Often the young ones fall into pits and ravines in their quest for water during drought period. Other inmates at the orphanage are those displaced from their natural environs by development projects or those found diseased or wounded.
The orphanage is 16 years old. The animals that were brought during the initial years are now capable of breeding and have in fact bred.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage 90Kms (On Rambukkana Road) Tel: 035-65804