A Sanctuary of Love: Pinnawala’s Elephants in Sri Lanka

The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is a conservation and captive breeding center for wild Asian elephants located in the village of Pinnawala, which is about 13 kilometers northeast of Kegalle town in the Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka. It is situated approximately 90 km from Colombo and about halfway to Kandy.

• Establishment: The orphanage was established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation.
• Purpose: Initially, its primary goal was to care for and protect orphaned baby elephants found wandering in and near the forests of Sri Lanka. Over time, it has also become a breeding center.
• Location History: The facility was first located at Wilpattu National Park, then moved to Bentota, and subsequently to the Dehiwala Zoo before finally settling in Pinnawala on a 25-acre coconut plantation next to the Maha Oya River. The land was donated by the Adhikaram Mudiyanse Family of Kandy.
• Current Status: Pinnawala is known for having the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. As of 2023, it housed 71 elephants across three generations, including 30 males and 41 females.
• Management: In 1978, the orphanage came under the management of the Department of National Zoological Gardens Sri Lanka.
• Breeding Program: A captive breeding program was initiated in 1982, which has been quite successful. The first birth at Pinnawala was in 1984.
• Care and Activities:
  • The elephants roam freely as a herd during the day within a large enclosed area.
  • Twice a day, they are herded to the Maha Oya River for bathing and drinking. This is a major attraction for visitors.
  • At night, female and young elephants are individually chained in stalls. Adult males are also chained and may do light work.
  • Calves born at Pinnawala are generally not bottle-fed, but some calves from the Elephant Transit Home (ETH) might be bottle-fed at Pinnawala as a tourist attraction.
  • The elephants are fed in their stalls with large quantities of jackfruit, coconut, kitul (sugar palm), tamarind, and grass brought in daily.
• Staff: Approximately 70 mahouts (handlers) care for the elephants.
• Tourism: The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage has become a significant tourist attraction in Sri Lanka, allowing visitors to observe the elephants up close, especially during bathing and feeding times.

• Daily Schedule (Typical):
  • 8:30 AM: Opens to visitors
  • 9:15 AM: Bottle feeding
  • 10:00 AM: Herd leaves for the river
  • 12:00 PM: Return from the river
  • 1:15 PM: Bottle feeding
  • 2:00 PM: Herd leaves for the river
  • 4:00 PM: Return from the river
  • 5:00 PM: Bottle feeding
  • 5:30 PM: Ticket counters close
  • 6:00 PM: Closes to the public
• Ethical Considerations: It’s worth noting that while Pinnawala is a popular attraction, some animal welfare organizations have raised concerns about the conditions and whether it truly operates as a sanctuary, particularly regarding the chaining of elephants at night and the use of bullhooks (ankus).

In summary, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is a large facility in Sri Lanka that was established to care for orphaned elephants and has since become a breeding center and a major tourist destination. It offers a unique opportunity to see a large herd of elephants interacting closely, especially during their daily baths in the river.