The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is situated northwest of the town of Kegalle, halfway between the present
capital Colombo and the ancient royal residence Kandy. It was established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Wildlife
Department in a 25 acre coconut property adjoining the Maha Oya River. The orphanage was originally founded
in order to afford care and protection to the many orphaned Elephants found in the jungles of Sri Lanka.
The pictorial village the world’s only elephant orphanage that cares for the largest elephant herd in
captivity. It shelters many baby elephants, as well as a blind elephant and one crippled.The Sri Lankan
species Elephas Maximus Maximus is the largest of the Asiatic elephant genus, and has patches with no skin
color on its ears, face, trunk and belly. They are the darkest of all Asiatic elephants. Seeing this large
herd of these behemoths is a great experience you can have on a Sri Lanka trip.In February 2011, the
Elephant Orphanage of Pinnawela recorded the birth of the 55th baby elephant in its 40 year existence. The
count stood at 86 with the latest addition.
- Area: 10 ha
- Province: Sabaragamuwa Province
- Area code: 035
