Pinnawala elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka

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Pinnawala elephant orphanage


Local name පින්නවල අලි අනාථාගාරය
Typeorphanage
Size24 acres
Total nrs65
Founded1975
First elephant arrived1975
Number of animals65
Address Rambukkana Road
Place Kegalle
District Kegalle District
Province Sabaragamuwa Province
Country Sri Lanka
FacebookFacebook
Related persons
Owner1975-1978: Department of Wildlife
1984-2020: National Zoological Gardens
2020: Sri Lanka Ministry of Tourism
Directors
2020-now: Mihiran Medawala
2026-now: Chandana Rajapaksa
2020-2020: Ishini Wickremesinghe
2010-2012: Bashwara Gunaratne
1978-1985: Lyn de Alwis
1985: Bradley Fernando
1997: H.A.N.T. Perera
Assistant Directors 2014-2020: Mihiran Medawala
1987: Renuka Bandaranayaka
Key Persons 1998-1998: Fred Kurt (researcher)
1997-1997: Fred Kurt (researcher)
: Jayantha Jayewardene (researcher)
Zoological department
Directors-Curators 2014-01-now: Sanjaya Ratnayake
(curator)
-: S.S.M. Seelaratne
(curator)
Head Veterinarian: Samathi Mendis
Apprentice keeper -2008: Chandani Rathnayaka
Elephant department
Elephant consultant 2012-2012: Dan Koehl
2002-2002: Dan Koehl
Head keepers
of elephants
1981-2010: K. G. Sumanabanda
(chief mahout)
Elephant keepers
2002-now: Primal
1975-: unknown Karunee
1975-: unknown Karunadase
1975-: unknown Burampi
1975-: unknown Samuranajake
1975-: unknown Veerasene
1975-: unknown Hendrick
-: H. Somaratna
-: I. S. Mitreepala
-: K. G. Supun Gunarathna
-: K. G. Tharaka Gunarathna
-: R. W. A. Gunaratne
-: S. D. Jayaratna
-: Senaratne
: K. G. Chandana Gunarathna
Record history
History of updates2024-06-27: naming of babies b 2010 and 2011 2024-06-30: more sources added 2025-04-06: accidents 2026-04-06: source for breeding 2023 2026-04-09: 50 & 51 anniversary
Latest document update2026-04-12 19:24:45
Google map
<h3>Map of the orphanage</h3><big>Stables close to the road and the office: 1. Milkshed, where visitors can milk feed elephant babies. 2 (roofed) and 3 ar round chaining grounds. 4. stable for the blind elephant Raja. 5, 6 and 7 are stables for mixed groups. 8. for Adult dangerous bulls. north of the trail leading to 6 are chaining points for bulls in Musth</big>

Map of the orphanage

Stables close to the road and the office: 1. Milkshed, where visitors can milk feed elephant babies. 2 (roofed) and 3 ar round chaining grounds. 4. stable for the blind elephant Raja. 5, 6 and 7 are stables for mixed groups. 8. for Adult dangerous bulls. north of the trail leading to 6 are chaining points for bulls in Musth
Description

Pinnawala elephant orphanage, orphanage located at Rambukkana Road, in Kegalle, Sri Lanka , was founded in 1975 and the first elephant arrived in 1975.

Living elephants

At the Pinnawala elephant orphanage lives 63 elephants with records in this database: (detail list)
  1. ♀ Amali born 1994-04-16
  2. ♀ Anuradhika born 1993-11-15
  3. ♀ Ashokamala born 1998-08-07
  4. ♀ Bharathi born 2007
  5. ⚪ Binuki born 2011
  6. ♂ Buwaneka born 1999-12-07
  7. ♂ Charaka born 2006-00-00
  8. ♀ Dinuda born 2009-05-24
  9. ♂ Disa (twin) born 2021-08-31
  10. ⚪ Diula
  11. ⚪ Elvina born 2011
  12. ♂ Haritha
  13. ♂ Jandura born 1966?
  14. ♀ Kamani
  15. ♂ Kanaka born 2009-05-24
  16. ♂ Kandula III (Bibile)
  17. ♀ Kiriya III (Kira)
  18. ♀ Komali (Komalee) born 1971
  19. ♂ Kora Aliya
  20. ♀ Kumari born 1965
  21. ♀ Mahaweli born 1981-07
  22. ♀ Mali born 2003
  23. ♀ Mathali (Mathalee) born 1970
  24. ♀ Mayuri born 1983
  25. ♂ Meega
  26. ♀ Meena
  27. ♀ Menika born 1989-08-14
  28. ♀ Menika II
  29. ♀ Nandi born 2011
  30. ♂ Neela born 1964
  31. ⚪ Neelamani born 2021-09-10
  32. ♀ Nikini II
  33. ♀ Ninja born 1985
  34. ♀ Noni
  35. ♂ Pandu born 2005-08-00
  36. ♀ Punchi
  37. ♀ Ramiya
  38. ♂ Rangiri born 1989-08-16
  39. ♀ Rejina born 1982
  40. ♂ Sajjana (twin) born 2021-08-31
  41. ♀ Sama
  42. ♀ Sandalee (Sandali)
  43. ♀ Sapumali born 1997
  44. ♀ Shanthi
  45. ♀ Shermi
  46. ♀ Sukumali born 1984-07-05
  47. ♂ Sumana Hasthiya
  48. ♀ Surangie
  49. ♀ Thammenna
  50. ♀ Thilaka
  51. ⚪ Thilamalai
  52. ⚪ unknown born 2011
  53. ⚪ unknown born 2010
  54. ⚪ unknown born 2011-00-00
  55. ⚪ unknown born 2011
  56. ⚪ unknown born 2011
  57. ♀ unknown born 2022-04-22
  58. ⚪ unknown born 2011
  59. ♂ Unnamed born 2024-03-20
  60. ♂ Unnamed born 2011-07-16
  61. ⚪ Unnamed born 2011-02-17
  62. ♀ Uthpala born 1999-08-06
  63. ♂ Wasamba born 1999-02-09

Comments / picturesPinnawala orphanage is situated in Rambukkana, northwest of the town Kegalla, halfways between the present capitol Colombo and the ancient royal residence Kandy in the hills of central Sri Lanka. It was established 1975 by the Sri Lanka Wildlife department. This 24 acres large elephant orphanage is a also breeding pace for elephants, the first elephant baby was born in 1984, and until the nineties it had the greatest Herd of elephants in captivity in the world. Between 1975 and 2024, 70 elephants were born here.
  • 1975: 5 baby elephants
  • 1978: 12 elephants, of those 5 babies.
  • 1997: 56 elephants
  • 1998: 63 elephants.
  • 2000: 70 elephants.
  • 2003: 65 elephants.
  • 2010: 84 elephants.
  • 2011: 96 elephants, including 43 males and 68 females from 3 generations, living in Pinnawala. 15 births in 2011-
  • 2021: 81 elephants 4th of September 2021.
  • 2025 February: a total number of 68 elephants
  • 2026 February: the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage has officially recorded a total of 76 natural births.


History



The orphanage was primarily designed to afford care and protection to the many baby elephants found in the jungle without their mothers. In most of these cases the mother had either died or been killed. In some instances the baby had fallen into a pit and in others the mother had fallen in and died. Initially this orphanage was founded 1972 as the Wilpattu elephant orphanage within Wilpattu National Park, then the orphaned elephants were relocated to Bentota Tourist Complex elephant orphanage and in 1975 to the Sri Lanka National Zoological Gardens (Dehiwela Zoo).

From the Dehiwela Zoo it was shifted 1975 to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage which was started in 1975 by the Department of Wildlife on a twenty five acre coconut property on the Maha Oya river at Rambukkana. At the time it was shifted the orphanage had five baby elephants which formed its nucleus. The 5 orphans were transferred to Pinnawala was: Vijaya from Anuradhupura, Kadira from Hambantota, Mathalie from Mathalie road, Komali from Hambantota, Jandura from Puttalama, and Raja from Anamadue, who died from food poisoning. Kumari came later from Molagoda elephant village in Kegalle.

The Mahouts were Karunee and Karunadase and Burampi, Samuranajake, Veerasene, and Hendrick. Curators was Somasiri and Rambanda. Silaratne was assistant curator. Directors were Lyn de Alwis and W. Fernando.

During this time, there was only one hotel in the forest, called Laknivisa.

In 1978 the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was taken over by the Sri Lanka National Zoological Gardens (Dehivela Zoo), and its director Lyn de Alwis from the Department of Wildlife.

In 1981 K. G. Sumanabanda started to work in the Pinnawala elephant orphanage where he, together with two assistants; H. Somaratna and R. W. A. Gunaratne, became responsible for their 13 elephants.

Pinnawala elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka Sri+LankaIn October 1981 Mahaweli was about three months; Two people from the Wildlife Department, Mahaweli about three months old, visited by family English, in October 1981. The baby is Megan English, also three months old at the picture.

Pinnawala elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka Sri+Lanka

(Photo from the book les animaux sauvages ; l'éléphant) The Pinnawala Herd and chief Mahout K.G. Sumanabanda in 1981. Not one single hotel can be seen, and only palm trees along the river. The elephants on the picture are 13; Vijaya, Neela, Hema, Mathalee, Randivi, Mahaweli, Kumari, Diula, Anuscha, Kadira, Komali, Weera (later Kandula I at the army camp), and Jadura.

When the zoo took over there were twelve animals five of whom were babies. In time more baby elephants were added to the original Herd of five. It was observed that though older females could be added it was not possible to add older males to the Herd, but a captive breeding program was launched in 1982.

Pinnawala elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka Sri+LankaSome of the elephants in the Pinnawala Herd, with chief Mahout K. G. Sumanabanda, in 1995.

1997 there were 52 animals of which there 10 were babies under 3 years of age. There were five mahouts for the twelve elephants when the orphanage was taken over 1978 and later there were twenty mahouts.

The difference between the elephant orphanage in Pinnawala and Ath Athuru Sevena Transit Home at Uda Walawe is that at the Transit Home these baby elephants once cared for are released to the wilds when they reach a certain age.

Daily activities


At Pinnawala an attempt was made to simulate, in a limited way, the conditions in the wild.
Animals are allowed to roam freely during the day and a Herd structure allowed to form.

Pinnawala elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka Sri+Lanka

08.00 The babies are fed on milk in the mornings and allowed to range freely on the 12 acres large grassland.

Pinnawala elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka Sri+Lanka

10.00 Each morning 10.00 and afternoon 14.00 the animals are walked 400 meters to the river Maha Oya for a two-hour bath. Photo © Guillaume Rebis

Pinnawala elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka Sri+Lanka

Pinnawala elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka Sri+Lanka


Beteween 16.30 and 1800 in the evening the animals are taken to their stalls and tethered for the night.

They are then given their evening feed which is milk again for the babies and leaves for the older ones. Plenty of food and water is available.

The leaves are mainy Cocunut leaves (Cocos nucifera), but also branches from Jackfruit
(Artocarpus integra), leaves, branches and logs of Kitul palm tree (Caryoty urens),
from There is no stress or threat to the animals.

Pinnawala elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka Sri+Lanka
The elephants are stall fed. There is very little food material that they can gather from the premises of the orphanage except grass. Large quantities of food are brought in daily. Jackfruit, coconut, kitul, tamarind and grass form the bulk of the food given to the elephants at Pinnawala.

Each animal gets approximately 75 kg of green matter a day and in addition each gets 2kg of a food mixture containing maize, rice bran, powdered gingelly seed and minerals. They have access to water twice a day from the river Maha Oya that runs by the Orphanage.

There is one female named Sama which was brought in from the northern part of the country, where there is an ethnic conflict, with the lower part off ts front foot blown off by a land mine. This animal is growing up and is coping with that leg about six inches shorter than the other.

Breeding history


The conditions at Pinnawala are conducive to breeding.
Initially the breeding animals consisted of males Vijaya and Neela and females Kumari, Anusha, Mathalie and Komali. Upto the middle of 1998 there have been fourteen births, eight males and six females at Pinnawala, with one(1) second generation birth early 1998.

The father of the first three calves born at Pinnawala was Vijaya. It was not possible to determine the father of the next calves since many males used to mate with the females in oestrus. Now through DNA fingerprinting the fathers of three have definitely been identified.
Vijaya and Kumari have produced three calves at intervals of five and four years.

The first birth at Pinnawala was in 1984, a female, to Vijaya and Kumari who were aged 21 and 20 years respectively at the time of the birth. In 1993 Vijaya and Kumari were 30 and 29 years respectively.

There are other records of the birth of elephants in captivity in Sri Lanka but most of these are off females that had been captured after they had conceived in the wild. There are also records of tamed elephants having mated with other tamed elephants and giving birth. These are however few and far between.

The other elephant deaths in recent times are as follows with the relevant date and cause of death: Vijaya - September 11, 1999, Brain Cancer, Honda Kota - February 20, 1999, severe injuries to the Trunk and body at the time it was handed over by the Wildlife Department, Binari - January 3, 2003, head injury and paralysis, baby elephant born to Lasanda - March 20, 2004 dashed on the ground by the mother and baby elephant of Nikini - April 22, 2004, born dead.

2006: 8 babies born in 2006.

Pinnawala elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka Sri+LankaElephant bull Raja in Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in Sri Lanka, with K. G. Sumanabanda, Glenn Sullivan (back then working in Whipsnade Zoo, UK) and Veterinarian Lasantha Perera, 17 September 2009, during a Veterinary conference funded by European Union, Royal Veterinary college and University of Perideniya.



2011: The highest number of births in a single year was recorded in 2011, with 17 births

In 2012, 15 babies were named: Singithi, Ahinsa, Themiya, Wanamali, Nandi, Mangala, Annuththara, Jeevaka, Kadol, Isira, Bimuthi, Aithi, Gagana and foreign favourites Trinky and Elvina. Of those, thirteen babies were born 2011 and the other two in 2010.

2016-07-31: Three mahouts were hospitalised after being attacked by an elephant in the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. The elephant that was being treated at the Pinnawala Orphanage for some time, had turned violent and attacked the mahouts, it is reported. The condition of the three mahouts are said to be serious.

2021-08-31: female Surangie gave birth to two male twins.

2025-02-16: Sri Lanka\'s main elephant orphanage marked its 50th anniversary Sunday with a feast of fruit for the 68 jumbos at the showpiece center, reputedly the world\'s first care home for destitute pachyderms. (WoaNews)

2026-02-16: The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage today celebrated its 51st anniversary by inaugurating a new “Free-Roaming Area for Elephants”, allowing Adult male elephants to roam freely in a controlled and safe environment. The new facility, named “Nidahas Ali Arana” (Free-Roaming Area for Elephants), is designed to manage Adult male elephants during their natural period of Musth, when heightened aggression and activity require careful handling. The initiative aligns with modern zoological and animal welfare standards, enabling elephants to exhibit natural behaviors while ensuring public and staff safety. (Daily News)`As of February 2026, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage has officially recorded a total of 76 natural births.

Research:


In 1997 and 1998 Research was conducted in Pinnawala through a joint venture by Institute of Wildbiology at Vienna University in Austria and the Zoological Institutes of Colombo and Peradeniya in Sri Lanka, under the supervision of Dr. Fred Kurt. Veterinary students from the Universities collected datas about body messurements and growth, food assimilation, social interactions, sleeping behaviour, tool-using, and sterotypical behaviours, later publicated in different scientific medias.

Information was kindly provided by Jayantha Jayewardene , Biodiversity and Elephant Conservation Trust, 615/32 Rajagiriya Gardens, Nawala Road, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka, Dr. Fred Kurt, Institute of Wild Biology at Vienna Veterinary University, and Wayne Jackson , Canada.

Here in Pinnawala is also the three-legged elephant Sama, who by two years of age stepped on a landmine which blew her right frotfoot away. Since then she is walking on three legs. She is now twelve and will suffer from considerable discomfort in the future due to changes in her spina, because of her unnatural body position, trying to balance the body weight on three legs.

There were earlier ambitions to train her for a specially made Prosthetic, see http://luckysama.walter-kilian.de/?page_id=125&lang=en for more information.

References for records about Pinnawala elephant orphanage

Recommended Citation

Koehl, Dan (2026). Pinnawala elephant orphanage, Elephant Encyclopedia. Available online at https://www.elephant.se/location2.php?location_id=43. (archived at the Wayback machine)

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