The town of Pinnawala near Kegalle, on the route to Kandy has become a vital stopover for most travellers who flock to visit the famed Elephant Orphanage.
Begun in 1972, the Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawala is a remarkable project created to protect abandoned or orphaned wild elephants who would not otherwise have survived in the wild. Relocated to the present size in 1975, today it has grown to become one of Sri Lanka’s key attractions. The elephants roam free within the sanctuary – and the highlight of their (and the visitors’) day is the feeding sessions and when they are led down to the river for a bath. From the banks of the river you can watch these gleeful herds of elephants splashing around freely on the river. The wildlife guides here will also provide you with background on elephants in Sri Lanka and their remarkable – and often fragile partnership with man. The nearby Eliphus Maximus project which produces elephant dung paper creates awareness on elephants as well as providing much needed employment to the village community.
Elephant Orphanage
Pinnawela orphanage is placed in Rambukkana, northwest of the city Kegalla, halfway between Colombo and also the ancient royal residence Kandy within the hills of central Sri Lanka. It was established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka wildlife department. This twenty four acres massive elephant orphanage could be an also the breeding place for elephants. The very first elephant baby was born in 1984, and it's the best herd of elephants in captivity within the world. Between 1975 and 2012, sixty seven animals were born here. If you want to feed milk to the little baby elephants then you need to be there by 08:00am. Then you at 10:00 am and 14:00 you will can see them enjoying their morning and afternoon bath which lasts around 2hrs each. This is a must see place on your list of places to visit during your stay in Sri Lanka.
