Elephants

To see the Animal Protection Institute's work on this issue before we combined forces, click here to learn about API's Circus campaign

Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, Sri Lanka Elephants & People In 1900 there were 12,000 wild elephants in Sri Lanka, now there are fewer than 4,000. With the human population swollen to 20 million there is increasing competition for resources. New agricultural areas are often set up within the elephants' traditional range, and the wandering grazers naturally turn to this source of food. Although a Buddhist, animal-loving country, the farmers respond to this threat to their crops - often by chasing off the perceived 'invaders' and sometimes by more aggressive means including firearms. This can lead to baby elephants, not yet weaned, being separated from their mother and their herd. Sri Lanka Elephants and Orphans Every year around 30 orphans - baby elephants separated from their herd - are reported to the authorities. Many of these are found in the Northern and Eastern regions and face a long, grueling drive to get to the Elephant Transit Home (ETH) at Udawalawe National Park. Once there, however, they get medical attention, food, shelter, and the companionship of other elephants at the park. And eventually, once they have grown up enough, they are returned to the wild in Udawalawe National Park. There are normally between 15 and 30 elephants, between 3 weeks and 4 years old, at the facility.

New Kitchen Complete! 30% of Sri Lanka's land area is protected for wildlife 70% of Sri Lanka's elephants live outside protected areas Elephant / human conflict leads to around 110 elephant deaths a year and 60 human deaths About 10% of orphans can be returned to their herd immediately The biggest health concern at the ETH is diarrhoea when babies do not take to formula milk The ETH spends nearly $100,000 per year on baby milk powder The elephants are usually released when they are 3?-4 years old Orphans are re-introduced in small groups in the hope that they will integrate with wild herds Born Free is supporting research into the behavior of the released animals.

At the ETH

Born Free has already helped with:

Intensive Care Unit building - with four elephant treatment rooms, reception, office, laboratory, store room, guards quarters, toilets, showers

Supporting a research project to study the progress of the released animals

Medical Equipment - includes diathermy, surgery instruments, operating table, surgery chair, post-mortem kit, field vet packs, thermometer, drugs cabinet, lifting harness, heat blankets, syringes, teat bottles

200kg baby milk from Nutricia Ltd

Radio Collars for tracking rehabilitated elephants

A JCB digger

Land Rover Rescue Vehicle, Defender 130 with fitted crate for baby elephants, tail lift, fridge, two winches, storage units, extra shocks, high lift jack.

Funds still needed for:

Food and care for Pinkie

Funding the on-going vehicle expenses (maintenance, insurance, fuel supplement)

Providing radio collars for future elephant releases

Funding signs to discourage the feeding of elephants around the park

Kitchen building for sterile food preparation and storage

Interpretation centre for education of locals and national and international tourists

Elephants and Born Free

Born Free believes that wildlife belongs in the wild, and the ETH is the only facility on Sri Lanka that is designed to return orphans to their natural home. The elephants living there are not exploited for tourism or for domestic uses - they are simply treated as well as the facilities allow until they are ready for release. This combination of welfare and conservation, maintaining the dignity of these beautiful animals, is what makes the ETH stand out as a prime candidate for Born Free's support.

Wild elephants are released into the National Park where a thriving natural herd exists. They are monitored to ensure their long-term viability.

Residents at the Elephant Transit Home receive terrific daily care with multiple feedings.