Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home

Located in Sabaragamuwa Province, the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home (ETH) is a pioneering wildlife facility that sits on the western edge of the 33,000-hectare Udawalawe National Park. Locally, in Sinhala, it is called Ath Athuru Sevana, and it is situated near the scenic Udawalawe Reservoir. From the national park’s main entrance, it is roughly five kilometres (a 20-minute drive), making it easily accessible.

It is recognised as the first elephant rehabilitation centre of its kind in Asia. The ETH provides a truly fulfilling and strictly ethical wildlife experience for visitors.

History and Conservation Mission

Established in 1995 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, this facility was created to address the severe consequences of human-elephant conflict. Unfortunately, many young elephant calves end up parentless after their mothers fall victim to poachers or are caught in traps, snares, and landmines that remain from the civil war.

With substantial support from local and international organisations, especially the UK-based Born Free Foundation and Dilmah Conservation, the transit home functions strictly as a halfway house. The final aim is not to hold them in captivity; it is to rescue, care for, and rehabilitate these fragile orphans, so they can eventually be released back into the wild.

Rehabilitation and Daily Care

The facility generally looks after 40 to 60 juvenile elephants at any given time, and it has managed to rehabilitate more than 200 elephants since its inception. The centre has a fascinating history. Among the notable residents, Komali stands out as the very first orphaned calf that Dr. Nandana Atapattu admitted in 1995. Another notable resident is Namal, who once lost a hind leg to a snare and now uses a custom-built prosthesis.

The care programme at the ETH is carefully designed to prepare the calves for a return to the wild, even if that happens gradually and with patience:

• Freedom to Roam: Unlike many traditional orphanages, the elephants here are never chained; they can move around freely, mingle, and play. Many of the calves spend their free time on a small island in the nearby reservoir, which mirrors herd dynamics in the wild.
• Minimal Human Contact: To prevent the calves from building dependence on, or an unnatural fondness for, humans, contact with caretakers is kept to an absolute minimum, and it is handled with restraint.
• Specialised Diet: As there is no specific elephant milk formula, the calves receive human baby milk powder instead. They are fed every three hours, 365 days each year, through plastic hoses connected to funnels, which is an unconventional but highly effective method. If a calf shows lactose intolerance or has digestive issues, caretakers replace the milk with soy milk or rice broth, and sometimes they use an Ayurvedic rehydration tonic called Jeevani.

The Journey Back to the Wild

The rehabilitation process requires immense patience. Calves are usually ready to be reintroduced into the wild when they reach four to five years of age and can survive independently.

To ensure a seamless integration, caretakers sometimes rinse elephants using a dung mixture before release. This hides the human scent and helps keep wild herds from rejecting them. The elephants are mainly released straight into the Udawalawe National Park, but in a few cases, whole groups were also moved to the Lunugamvehera and Maduru Oya National Parks, and these attempts proved successful.

Upon release, they are fitted with discreet radio telemetry collars. Conservationists regularly track progress and report success stories such as Dilmah-sponsored orphans Ted Baby Dilmah and Amaya, who are now doing well in their natural habitat.

The Visitor Experience: Ethical Tourism

For visitors to Udawalawe, the Elephant Transit Home is a truly remarkable showcase of responsible wildlife tourism. The facility prioritises animal welfare above all else, so visitors are strictly observers, no exceptions. You are not allowed to touch the elephants, ride them, bathe them, or even pose for photographs near the animals.

What to Expect During Your Visit:

• The Island Migration: If you arrive early, you might catch a memorable view of 40 to 50 baby elephants “migrating” and then charging across a narrow piece of land, from the reservoir island toward the feeding station. It may appear chaotic, yet it is a highly coordinated routine.
• The Viewing Platform: From a safe, raised wooden platform, visitors can watch the energetic calves rush in for their meals. This viewing point sits about 8 metres away from the feeding station, so you can see them clearly without getting too close.
• Feeding Times: Public viewings match the daily feeding rhythm. Daily sessions run at 10:30 AM, 2:30 PM, and 6:00 PM. You are strongly advised to arrive at least 30 minutes before the feeding starts.
• Educational Facilities: Visitors can explore the Information Centre and also the “Elephant Knowledge Walk.” These exhibits provide comprehensive details about elephant biology and the rescue background of the calves.
• Donations: If visitors wish to support the facility, they can donate cash or human baby milk powder directly to the ETH.

Practical Information

Plan your visit to the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home with the following essential details:

Information	Details
Opening Hours	Open 365 days a year from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Contact Number	+94 472 232 147
Ticketing	No prior reservation is needed. Tickets are available at the counter.
Foreign Visitor Fees	Adults: ~$5.00 Children: ~$3.00–$3.50 (plus 18% VAT)
Local Visitor Fees	Adults: 100–115 LKR Children: 50–57.50 LKR

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