The elephant orphanage was founded in 1975 is the first in the world.
Located 80 km from Colombo and created to take care and protect orphaned elephants.
Basically elephants injured or lost by the herds that roamed the jungle of Sri Lanka.
Every day there is reason to celebrate at the Pinnawala elephant orphanage.
And it is an unparalleled pleasure and sight to see dozens of elephants with their youngsters descending the city streets.
Several times a day these giant animals are brought to the river for swimming and playing with water.
Whenever we make family outings with children, we offer a visit to the Pinnawala elephant orphanage, as we know that both parents and children will enjoy this fun and original visit.
Daily elephant bathing
In the river the keepers (mahouts) bathe and scrape the hard skin of these animals with a coconut bark.
Many travelers are also encouraged to bathe elephants. Would you dare to bathe in the river with them?
This is why elephants need the pampering and care of a giant spa that is created every day in the Maoya River.
For pachyderms, the water from swimming pools and rivers is essential for the general hydration of the body and skin.
For this reason, many times we will see in the lakes and rivers of Sri Lanka, one or more elephants bathing with their huge trunk.
The reason for having an elephant orphanage
The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is a foundation dependent on Sri Lankan institutions.
Today, moreover, they welcome all those elephants who are victims of road accidents and other types of accidents in the jungle leaving them injured and who would otherwise be destined to die.
This is a public institution. For this reason, traffic or abuse in other private places for profit are excluded.
How are elephants treated in the Pinnawella orphanage?
There are those who question the way to treat these cute animals in the Pinnawala elephant orphanage.
From the western point of view, it may seem that the cure is not adequate.
However, the Sinhalese are very proud of this place.
Locals appreciate being rescued from the jungle and having a place to feed, bathe and play.
We must not forget that we are in an Asian country and that values are different from Western ones.
In addition, these are wild animals. Being very large and if not treated firmly they can be extremely dangerous.
In the morning we can admire the elephants leaving the orphanage and guided by their mahouts to the river for their daily bath
Visiting tips
Do not miss a visit to the Pinnawala elephant orphanage if you travel to Sri Lanka with your children.
Children will fall in love with young people, playing and being protected from elephants. And parents will also be surprised to see so many and so large pachyderms in a place full of coconut trees, and in an exotic river like Maoya.
Sri Lanka is indeed the perfect place for children and for people who like animals and nature.
This country is incredibly green.
It is impossible not to find elephant herds on safari or even on the same road traveling.
It is also very easy to see leopards, macaques and other types of monkeys, giant squirrels, jackals, etc. etc
Furthermore, walking with children and adults through the Peradeniya Botanical Garden is a delight. Along with the giant trees and millions of plants, we will also find monkeys and other animals in this immense place.
