Pinnawela - Elephant Orphanage & Elephant Projects
Established 1975, the Pinnawela elephant orphanage houses the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. About eighty elephants are looked after that were found abandoned by their herd.
Pinnawala is located approximately 80 km northwest of Colombo and 40 km west of Kandy. It takes about two and a half hours from Negombo and about one and a half hours from Kandy to reach Pinnawela. The Elephant Orphanage is situated on B35, halfway between the district capital Kegalle and the Rambukkana railway station. The road runs along the Maha Oya River, and the approximately 10-hectare grounds of the Elephant Orphanage are on the other side of the road when viewed from the river. In addition to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, there are other elephant projects with smaller herds along this stretch of road, as well as some spice gardens and Ayurveda farms.
Pinnawala is located approximately 80 km northwest of Colombo and 40 km west of Kandy. It takes about two and a half hours from Negombo and about one and a half hours from Kandy to reach Pinnawela. The Elephant Orphanage is situated on B35, halfway between the district capital Kegalle and the Rambukkana railway station. The road runs along the Maha Oya River, and the approximately 10-hectare grounds of the Elephant Orphanage are on the other side of the road when viewed from the river. In addition to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, there are other elephant projects with smaller herds along this stretch of road, as well as some spice gardens and Ayurveda farms.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage & 3 Elephant Projects
Due to the largest herd of elephants in captivity at one place, Pinnawela is still a popular tourist destination, though several tour operators have cut it from their itineraries due to animal protection issues. There are, however, other options of elephant activities in Pinnawela than only a visit of the Elephant Orphanage. Let’s give a short overview what is on offer in Pinnawela:
- The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is both an elephant care center and a commercial public zoo. The main attraction is the elephant bath in the nearby Mahaoya river, which takes place two times a day. Around 70 to 80 bathing elephants can be observed from two restaurants on observation platforms. The elephant orphanage is also the place where tourists can take part in the bottle feeding baby elephants.
- The Millennium Elephant Foundation 3 km (2 miles) south of the Elephant Orphanage is the only certified non-profit organization working with captive elephants in Sri Lanka. It is currently home to around nine elephants. Elephant rides are not permitted. Instead, guests can take part in jungle walk with the elephants and assist with their daily washing in the Kuda Oya River.
- The Elephant Care Relief Foundation 700 m further south also offers a 3 or 4 hours package including a jungle walk with elephants and washing them and giving them snacks. It also offers packages volunteers who want to spend several days or even months for elephant care. The number of elephants is comparable to that of the Millennium Elephant Foundation.
- The Elephant Freedom Project 300 m further south is home of two or three elephants at a time. The jungle walks take around 2 hours and the washing will take an additional hour.
- The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is both an elephant care center and a commercial public zoo. The main attraction is the elephant bath in the nearby Mahaoya river, which takes place two times a day. Around 70 to 80 bathing elephants can be observed from two restaurants on observation platforms. The elephant orphanage is also the place where tourists can take part in the bottle feeding baby elephants.
- The Millennium Elephant Foundation 3 km (2 miles) south of the Elephant Orphanage is the only certified non-profit organization working with captive elephants in Sri Lanka. It is currently home to around nine elephants. Elephant rides are not permitted. Instead, guests can take part in jungle walk with the elephants and assist with their daily washing in the Kuda Oya River.
- The Elephant Care Relief Foundation 700 m further south also offers a 3 or 4 hours package including a jungle walk with elephants and washing them and giving them snacks. It also offers packages volunteers who want to spend several days or even months for elephant care. The number of elephants is comparable to that of the Millennium Elephant Foundation.
- The Elephant Freedom Project 300 m further south is home of two or three elephants at a time. The jungle walks take around 2 hours and the washing will take an additional hour.
Animal Welfare Issues
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The three privately run elephant projects are considered to be more elephant-friendly alternatives to the large Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. Animal welfarist criticized the Pinnawela Elephant for several reasons. The elephants are sometimes held in chains. They often have to stand and walk on cement. They are exposed too much to contact with unknown human beings. They will never be released into the wild. The two daily bathes at fixed times disturb theit natural rythm. And the role of an orphanage conflicts with the policy of breeding.
However, though cement should indeed be avoided, there are reasons for the kind of treatment. The elephants are usually not chained, only sometimes, particularly male elephants during their 'musth', the annual period of large rise in reproductive hormones, which is characterized by aggressive behaviour against other elephants and human beings, also against female elephants that are not in heat. This aggressive behaviour is not a peculiarity of elephant bulls in captivity, it also occurs among wild elephants, but it is too dangerous for human care workers and visitors. Metal chains are chosen instead of ropes, because they are actually less harmfull for the elpephant skin. The reason why the elephants of the orphanage are not released into the wild is that they would simply not survive there. Those injured or left-behind baby elephants that have good chances to be returned to the wild are cared for not in Pinnawela but in elephant transit homes right from the beginning. If bathing is better than not bathing for elephants and a pond or river is only on the other side of a road, then the transfer to the bathing point must be organized by care workers. There is no better option. But admittedly the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is too commercialised, many workers are undiciplined and greedy for tips, e.g. expecting money for inviting visitors to pose with the elephants, though this practice is not allowed officially. |
Opinion: Why we think that protests against Pinnawela are disproportionate To be honest, we understand that elephants in captivity are by far not as domesticated as horses are, but it might be more a matter of degree than of two completely different categories. Several Asian elephants born in captivity do not need to be „broken“ before accepting training and human control, some foals can be more stubborn. But let’s admit, that elephant breeding is much more harming than horse breeding, then there still remains one thing we would like to criticize regarding the modern Western emphasis on tabooing elephant captivity, because it’s applying double standards to own traditions on the one hand and practices and those of Asian cultures on the other: Living conditions of animals in farms of the food sector are in almost all cases much less animal-friendly than the treatment of elephants in Pinnawela, even if Pinnawela should be a purely commercial project for only touristic purposes. Hence, if commercialisation of animal breeding is the issue, stopping to purchase meat should have much higher priority on the to-do list for animal welfare than omitting visits of Pinnawela, because vegetarianism, the only way to avoid being engaged in trading of body parts of slaughtered animals that were held in unbearable conditions throughout their lives, would be a much more relevant contribution to animal welfare than to refrain from buying a ticket of the Pinnawela Orphanage. |
More Information about the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage
Despite the criticism and controversies mentioned above, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Sri Lanka. Injured Elephants and elephant babies found abandoned by their herds are admitted to the orphanage to be raised with human assistance. The artificial herd that has been formed now consists of over 70 elephants, making it the largest herd of domesticated elephants in the world. Observing the many pachyderms during their morning feeding and subsequent bath in the river is undoubtedly one of the lasting impressions of a journey through Sri Lanka.
Founded in 1975 as a state institution, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was initially administered by the Department of Wildlife and later became affiliated with the National Zoological Gardens in 1978. The facility is located in the area of a former coconut plantation. Like many zoos, the orphanage serves conservation purposes, too, as the population of wild elephants in Sri Lanka was significantly declining at the time of the establishmenr. While the wild populations in national parks have somewhat recovered since then, the Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawala has continued to play a crucial role in rescuing and caring for orphaned and injured elephants.
At its establishment in 1975, Pinnawala initially cared for five babies, forming the nucleus of the current herd. Although financially supported by the state, the facility has always relied on additional income from local and foreign visitors. By 1978, when it came under the Zoological Gardens, there were already a dozen elephants in Pinnawala, including five babies under three years old. The care of the elephants was provided by five professional mahouts. In addition to the continually delivered orphaned and injured animals, Pinnawala is now home to several dozen elephants born in captivity, as a result of a breeding program initiated in 1982.
Another state institution in Sri Lanka dedicated to caring for orphaned elephant calves is located on the edge of the Uda Walawa National Park in the south of the country, it’s known as Ath Athuru Sevana Transit Home. The young elephants under its care are destined for release into the wild, while those at Pinnawala remain in captivity to be trained as working elephants.
By 1997, Pinnawala was home to over 50 elephants, including 10 babies. Since then, at least 20 mahouts have been taking care of them, although it's noted that this may be insufficient as a mahout should not handle more than two elephants simultaneously. From 1997, the elephants were also subject to scientific studies in collaboration with the University of Vienna.
The significant, state-organized care for orphaned elephant calves reflects a traditional Buddhist ethos that has made animal welfare a concern for thousands of years, unlike European traditions. Babies abandoned by their mothers would have no chance of survival in the wild, as the rest of the herd would not provide for them. The reasons why young elephants are often left behind by their herd are diverse. In particular, this can occur when elephants leave protected areas and damage farmers' fields. Many wild elephants live entirely outside national parks. Their encroachment into cultivated areas particularly increased during the civil war as conflict activities displaced them from their more remote habitats. Elephants foraging on fields are often chased away and sometimes killed by farmers, either shot or trapped. If the victim is a female elephant caring for a calf, the chances of survival for the baby elephant in the wild are minimal, as other female elephants often do not care for it. Calves are also victims of traps, and if they cannot free themselves, the herd moves on without them. Captured young elephants are handed over to wildlife officers by farmers and, in some cases, half-starved lonely calves in the bush are captured by wildlife officers that were informed by locals.
In addition to orphaned young elephants, Pinnawala also takes in wounded adult elephants, once including some victims of the civil war or still those injured by ivory hunters or by farmers protecting their fields.
Initially, the aim of care and upbringing was, as mentioned earlier, conservation, as elephant populations in Sri Lanka were drastically declining due to the shrinkage of their habitat on the island, at a rate of up to 6% annually. At the beginning of British colonial rule, the elephant population was estimated at 30,000, but by 1900, there were only 12,000 elephants. In the 1960s, there was a risk of extinction in Sri Lanka, prompting a government program to help every elephant survive if possible. In the 1980s, it was estimated that there were 2,500 wild elephants in addition to the 300 domesticated ones. The national parks, constituting 12.5% of the state's land area, provide habitat for 1,600 elephants. After a recovery, the population was estimated to be around 3,000 at the beginning of our century and is an estimated 8,000 now (2023).
Founded in 1975 as a state institution, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was initially administered by the Department of Wildlife and later became affiliated with the National Zoological Gardens in 1978. The facility is located in the area of a former coconut plantation. Like many zoos, the orphanage serves conservation purposes, too, as the population of wild elephants in Sri Lanka was significantly declining at the time of the establishmenr. While the wild populations in national parks have somewhat recovered since then, the Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawala has continued to play a crucial role in rescuing and caring for orphaned and injured elephants.
At its establishment in 1975, Pinnawala initially cared for five babies, forming the nucleus of the current herd. Although financially supported by the state, the facility has always relied on additional income from local and foreign visitors. By 1978, when it came under the Zoological Gardens, there were already a dozen elephants in Pinnawala, including five babies under three years old. The care of the elephants was provided by five professional mahouts. In addition to the continually delivered orphaned and injured animals, Pinnawala is now home to several dozen elephants born in captivity, as a result of a breeding program initiated in 1982.
Another state institution in Sri Lanka dedicated to caring for orphaned elephant calves is located on the edge of the Uda Walawa National Park in the south of the country, it’s known as Ath Athuru Sevana Transit Home. The young elephants under its care are destined for release into the wild, while those at Pinnawala remain in captivity to be trained as working elephants.
By 1997, Pinnawala was home to over 50 elephants, including 10 babies. Since then, at least 20 mahouts have been taking care of them, although it's noted that this may be insufficient as a mahout should not handle more than two elephants simultaneously. From 1997, the elephants were also subject to scientific studies in collaboration with the University of Vienna.
The significant, state-organized care for orphaned elephant calves reflects a traditional Buddhist ethos that has made animal welfare a concern for thousands of years, unlike European traditions. Babies abandoned by their mothers would have no chance of survival in the wild, as the rest of the herd would not provide for them. The reasons why young elephants are often left behind by their herd are diverse. In particular, this can occur when elephants leave protected areas and damage farmers' fields. Many wild elephants live entirely outside national parks. Their encroachment into cultivated areas particularly increased during the civil war as conflict activities displaced them from their more remote habitats. Elephants foraging on fields are often chased away and sometimes killed by farmers, either shot or trapped. If the victim is a female elephant caring for a calf, the chances of survival for the baby elephant in the wild are minimal, as other female elephants often do not care for it. Calves are also victims of traps, and if they cannot free themselves, the herd moves on without them. Captured young elephants are handed over to wildlife officers by farmers and, in some cases, half-starved lonely calves in the bush are captured by wildlife officers that were informed by locals.
In addition to orphaned young elephants, Pinnawala also takes in wounded adult elephants, once including some victims of the civil war or still those injured by ivory hunters or by farmers protecting their fields.
Initially, the aim of care and upbringing was, as mentioned earlier, conservation, as elephant populations in Sri Lanka were drastically declining due to the shrinkage of their habitat on the island, at a rate of up to 6% annually. At the beginning of British colonial rule, the elephant population was estimated at 30,000, but by 1900, there were only 12,000 elephants. In the 1960s, there was a risk of extinction in Sri Lanka, prompting a government program to help every elephant survive if possible. In the 1980s, it was estimated that there were 2,500 wild elephants in addition to the 300 domesticated ones. The national parks, constituting 12.5% of the state's land area, provide habitat for 1,600 elephants. After a recovery, the population was estimated to be around 3,000 at the beginning of our century and is an estimated 8,000 now (2023).
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One of the most notable victims of the Sri Lankan civil war was an elephant named Sama. In 1995, at the age of two, she lost a foot when she stepped on a landmine in the northern part of the country. The injured foreleg was then fifteen centimeters shorter than the others, causing her to limp constantly. This had severe health consequences, damaging her spine and pelvis. She suffers from progressive arthritis, and three pregnancies resulted in miscarriages due to the constant shaking of her belly. Attempts have been made to develop a prosthesis for her.
Another well-known victim of violence that visitors encountered at Pinnawala was a proud tusker named Raja, meaning "King." Raja had particularly magnificent tusks, which, unfortunately, led to his misfortune. A poacher attempted to kill him but used a caliber that was too small, and the elephant survived with several dozen gunshot scars visible on his skin. Unfortunately, both eyes were also hit, rendering the bull blind and dependent on human assistance. Raja was cared for and bathed separately from the other bulls. He died in 2013.
In contrast to African elephants, only male Asian elephants have externally visible tusks, and not all males have them. In Sri Lanka, only ten percent of elephant bulls carry tusks. Tusks are not necessary for obtaining food and engaging in battles but likely serve purely for impressing other males and females. Asian and African elephants (Elephas maximus and Loxodonta africana, respectively) are two different species. They are less closely related than, for example, donkeys and horses, as the only known common descendant between an Asian elephant cow and an African elephant bull, born in the Chester Zoo in 1978, died two weeks after birth. Asian elephants, also known as "Indian elephants," are even more closely related to the extinct mammoth than to African elephants. There are also significant differences in their behavior and care. While Asian elephants, when raised in captivity, are generally relatively easy to train and approach, African elephants can be dangerous due to their unpredictability and aggressiveness, even if they have been raised in captivity.
With the rise in the world price of ivory in the 1970s, ivory hunting also increased. Elephant tusks and ivory carvings have been traded for thousands of years, with prices for ivory reaching their peak in the 19th century. Demand for ivory products, especially in Asia, continued to rise in the late 20th century. In response to poaching and international trafficking, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) banned the international trade in ivory in 1989. The demand for ivory then collapsed almost entirely.
The decline in the price of ivory had positive effects on elephant populations, but poaching has not been entirely eradicated. Although the demand for ivory decreased, it did not disappear entirely, especially as China and other East Asian countries became wealthier. Ivory carvings and trinkets are still popular, even though international trade in new ivory is illegal. Poaching has also increased due to the illegal trade in ivory and the demand for elephant skin. In Africa, some elephant populations are severely threatened, and ivory smuggling is on the rise. In 2019, the Sri Lankan government destroyed seized ivory worth $1.5 million in a public ceremony.
In conclusion, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage plays a crucial role in the conservation of Asian elephants, particularly in Sri Lanka. While it has faced criticism and controversies, it remains a significant tourist attraction and a place where orphaned and injured elephants receive care and rehabilitation. The challenges it faces, including habitat loss, poaching, and the need for relocation, highlight the broader issues affecting elephant conservation globally. As visitors witness the majestic elephants at Pinnawala, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts required to protect and preserve these magnificent creatures for future generations.
Another well-known victim of violence that visitors encountered at Pinnawala was a proud tusker named Raja, meaning "King." Raja had particularly magnificent tusks, which, unfortunately, led to his misfortune. A poacher attempted to kill him but used a caliber that was too small, and the elephant survived with several dozen gunshot scars visible on his skin. Unfortunately, both eyes were also hit, rendering the bull blind and dependent on human assistance. Raja was cared for and bathed separately from the other bulls. He died in 2013.
In contrast to African elephants, only male Asian elephants have externally visible tusks, and not all males have them. In Sri Lanka, only ten percent of elephant bulls carry tusks. Tusks are not necessary for obtaining food and engaging in battles but likely serve purely for impressing other males and females. Asian and African elephants (Elephas maximus and Loxodonta africana, respectively) are two different species. They are less closely related than, for example, donkeys and horses, as the only known common descendant between an Asian elephant cow and an African elephant bull, born in the Chester Zoo in 1978, died two weeks after birth. Asian elephants, also known as "Indian elephants," are even more closely related to the extinct mammoth than to African elephants. There are also significant differences in their behavior and care. While Asian elephants, when raised in captivity, are generally relatively easy to train and approach, African elephants can be dangerous due to their unpredictability and aggressiveness, even if they have been raised in captivity.
With the rise in the world price of ivory in the 1970s, ivory hunting also increased. Elephant tusks and ivory carvings have been traded for thousands of years, with prices for ivory reaching their peak in the 19th century. Demand for ivory products, especially in Asia, continued to rise in the late 20th century. In response to poaching and international trafficking, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) banned the international trade in ivory in 1989. The demand for ivory then collapsed almost entirely.
The decline in the price of ivory had positive effects on elephant populations, but poaching has not been entirely eradicated. Although the demand for ivory decreased, it did not disappear entirely, especially as China and other East Asian countries became wealthier. Ivory carvings and trinkets are still popular, even though international trade in new ivory is illegal. Poaching has also increased due to the illegal trade in ivory and the demand for elephant skin. In Africa, some elephant populations are severely threatened, and ivory smuggling is on the rise. In 2019, the Sri Lankan government destroyed seized ivory worth $1.5 million in a public ceremony.
In conclusion, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage plays a crucial role in the conservation of Asian elephants, particularly in Sri Lanka. While it has faced criticism and controversies, it remains a significant tourist attraction and a place where orphaned and injured elephants receive care and rehabilitation. The challenges it faces, including habitat loss, poaching, and the need for relocation, highlight the broader issues affecting elephant conservation globally. As visitors witness the majestic elephants at Pinnawala, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts required to protect and preserve these magnificent creatures for future generations.
