Human-Elephant conflict in Sri Lanka is serious. Of the estimated 4000 wild elephants in the country, up to 200 die each year from  gunshot injuries. Baby elephants are orphaned and many adult elephants are left maimed and suffering.

Located at the south-western corner of the Uda Walawe Reservoir, the Eth Athuru Sevana (ETH) was established in 1995 by the Department of Wildlife as a part of the Uda Walawe National Park, with the objective of rehabilitating orphaned elephants – raising them in a semi wild condition and taking them back to the wild, fitted with radio collars equipped with  location and mortality sensors. At present the home cares for over thirty such baby elephants.

Entrance & ticket office

We arrived at the Transit Home at noon to watch the midday feeding of the baby elephants. The proceedings are watched from a covered and elevated semi-lunar viewing platform. A deep moat stands…