Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Colombo > Reviews

Advantages: Amazing experience
Disadvantages: Long journey

BACKGROUND: In the 60's the Sri Lankan elephant had become endangered.Partly due to farmers killing them to protect their land but mainly because they were hunted for their tusks by poachers.This was outlawed by the government in the 70's & Pinnawella elephant orphanage was started. Abandoned or injured elephants of all ages are reared here and trained to become working elephants.Some of the young ones are fitted with tracking collars and succesfully ... Read review

Advantages: Get to see wonderful animals and a great day out
Disadvantages: None!!

...by Sri Lanka Widelife department. Pinnawela is an orphanage situated about 90Km from Colombo and is one of the few elephant orphanages around the world. This is a breading place for adult and baby elephants as well as protecting from poachers. The orphanage is there to feed, nurse and house young elephants found abandoned by their mothers. Often the young ones fall into pits and ravines in their quest for water during drought period. Baby elephants ... Read review