photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
taboo5 | profile | all galleries >> Sri Lanka >> Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Sri Lanka (December 2010) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Sri Lanka (December 2010)

The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage was founded in 1975 to rescue four orphaned baby elephants when they could no longer be cared for at Dehiwala Zoo. Today, it is the home to the largest group of captive elephants in the world with 70 elephants. Among the residents of the orphanage is, Sama, a three-legged elephant, who lost her leg stepping on a land mine, and a blind elephant, Raja. Twice a day, after meals, the elephants bathe in the May Oya River. Tourists get much enjoyment from watching their playful antics from the riverbank, or from the Pinnalanda Restaurant or Hotel Elephant Park up the river. The elephants, which roam freely in park, are 'herded' by their mahouts (keepers) before being taken to feeding sheds. It is there that baby elephants under three years of age are still bottle fed by the mahouts and tourists. The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is a “must” place to visit for tourists and animal lovers who come to Sri Lanka.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage cover page.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage cover page.		 Map Showing of Sri Lanka with the star indicating the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage.
Map Showing of Sri Lanka with the star indicating the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage.		 When driving to the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, we passed this elephant in transit.
When driving to the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, we passed this elephant in transit.		 The truck was carrying a heavy load.
The truck was carrying a heavy load.
Elephants bathing in the May Oya River at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage.
Elephants bathing in the May Oya River at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage.		 They were getting their morning bath; one of two they get each day.
They were getting their morning bath; one of two they get each day.		 This handsome pachyderm was enjoying his morning dip.
This handsome pachyderm was enjoying his morning dip.		 They were frolicking in the water.
They were frolicking in the water.
Elephants on the other side of the river.
Elephants on the other side of the river.		 A mother and baby elephant doing their morning ablutions.
A mother and baby elephant doing their morning ablutions.		 The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage has existed since 1975 and has grown to become one of Sri Lanka's most popular destinations.
The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage has existed since 1975 and has grown to become one of Sri Lanka's most popular destinations.		 Prior to the formation of the elephant orphanage in 1975, elephants were nearly extinct in Sri Lanka.
Prior to the formation of the elephant orphanage in 1975, elephants were nearly extinct in Sri Lanka.
Today, there are about 3,000 elephants in Sri Lanka. In 1815, an estimated 30,000 elephants lived on the island.
Today, there are about 3,000 elephants in Sri Lanka. In 1815, an estimated 30,000 elephants lived on the island.		 Elephant herds leaving the water after their morning bath.
Elephant herds leaving the water after their morning bath.		 A big bull elephant leaving the river.
A big bull elephant leaving the river.		 Some of the 110 mahouts (keepers) who are employed to care for the elephants at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage.
Some of the 110 mahouts (keepers) who are employed to care for the elephants at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage.
This man carries a stick to guide the elephants.
This man carries a stick to guide the elephants.		 I befriended this big fellow.
I befriended this big fellow.		 I was feeding this baby elephant a banana.
I was feeding this baby elephant a banana.		 The herd of elephants leaving the river en masse.
The herd of elephants leaving the river en masse.
The caretakers sound a big gong, which lets the elephants know that bathing time is over.
The caretakers sound a big gong, which lets the elephants know that bathing time is over.		 It is advisable to move out of the way when the herd passes by.
It is advisable to move out of the way when the herd passes by.		 A throng of elephants.
A throng of elephants.		 The last few elephants leaving the river.
The last few elephants leaving the river.
Tourists on the sidelines were enjoying the spectacle of the elephants passing by.
Tourists on the sidelines were enjoying the spectacle of the elephants passing by.		 The herds were heading to the field to graze and to feed on leaves from palm trees.
The herds were heading to the field to graze and to feed on leaves from palm trees.		 At the Pinnalanda Restaurant where I had lunch, a wedding party was going on. This was the bride and groom.
At the Pinnalanda Restaurant where I had lunch, a wedding party was going on. This was the bride and groom.		 For the wedding, someone carved decorative flower on this watermelon.
For the wedding, someone carved decorative flower on this watermelon.
Beautiful Sri Lankan women who were dressed up for the wedding.
Beautiful Sri Lankan women who were dressed up for the wedding.		 After lunch, I went to a factory where they make elephant dung paper.
After lunch, I went to a factory where they make elephant dung paper.		 Ingredients to make the paper including elephant dung, which contains a great deal of fibre, a necessary ingredient for paper.
Ingredients to make the paper including elephant dung, which contains a great deal of fibre, a necessary ingredient for paper.		 This does not look attractive, but the resulting paper is very beautiful and of high quality and does not smell bad.
This does not look attractive, but the resulting paper is very beautiful and of high quality and does not smell bad.
Sri Lankan man demonstrating the elephant dung paper making process.
Sri Lankan man demonstrating the elephant dung paper making process.		 He is sifting water through the paper.
He is sifting water through the paper.		 The resulting paper is very thick and textured.
The resulting paper is very thick and textured.		 Elephants grazing in the afternoon.
Elephants grazing in the afternoon.
I felt sorry for this elderly bull elephant who was chained down.
I felt sorry for this elderly bull elephant who was chained down.		 These elephants were in the feeding shed eating palm leaves.
These elephants were in the feeding shed eating palm leaves.		 Tourists were observing a dark elephant and a light elephant.
Tourists were observing a dark elephant and a light elephant.		 A newborn elephant who was not yet standing. His mother was standing over him.
A newborn elephant who was not yet standing. His mother was standing over him.
Another baby elephant within an enclosure.
Another baby elephant within an enclosure.		 One of the most popular tourist attractions at the orphanage is bottle feeding baby elephants in the feeding shed.
One of the most popular tourist attractions at the orphanage is bottle feeding baby elephants in the feeding shed.		 A baby elephant was greedily enjoying the milk.
A baby elephant was greedily enjoying the milk.		 I could not resist giving it a tryl
I could not resist giving it a tryl

comment | share
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment
click on thumbnails for full image