Sri Lanka marked the golden jubilee of the renowned Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage on Sunday, celebrating five decades of dedicated care for orphaned and injured elephants.
Located in Rambukkana, approximately 90 km from Colombo, the orphanage was established in 1975 with just five baby elephants. Over the years, it has grown into a vital conservation and refuge center, now home to 69 elephants of various ages.
“This was started in 1975 with five baby elephants. Today, it provides refuge for 69 elephants belonging to various age groups,” said Chandana Rajapaksa, Director General of the Zoological Department. He explained that the facility cares for elephants that have been separated from their herds, fallen into pits while searching for water, or sustained injuries. More than 50 handlers work to ensure their well-being.
Grand Celebrations Mark the Milestone
To commemorate the 50th anniversary, the orphanage hosted a special celebration, treating the elephants to a feast of fruits. Videos shared on the Department of National Zoological Gardens’ official Facebook page captured moments of officials cutting a giant cake and feeding it to the elephants. Visitors also participated by offering fruits to the gentle giants.
“Join us as we mark 50 years of dedication, love, and care for these incredible elephants. It’s been an unforgettable journey, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of all our visitors, partners, and elephant lovers around the world,” the department stated in a post.
A Key Tourist Attraction and Conservation Effort
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is a popular tourist destination, drawing thousands of visitors daily. Tourists can observe the bottle-feeding of calves, feeding sessions for adult elephants, and their routine river baths.
Rajapaksa highlighted the extensive food requirements at the orphanage, noting that around 5,000 branches of coconut, sugar palm, and jackfruit are needed daily. Weaker elephants are provided additional nutrition, including cereals, rice bran, and maize, along with fruits such as pineapples and bananas.
Since its inception, the facility has recorded over 75 elephant births, including a rare twin birth in 2021. The oldest resident of the orphanage is currently 70 years old.
Sources By Agencies
