Near to the national park is an
elephant transit home, which is supported by the Born Free Foundation.
They have orphaned elephants here which they raise with minimal contact and then release them into the park. Some of the elephants have artificial legs because they came from the north of the island where there has been recent violence disputes. We paid a donation which went towards the cost of milk and got to stand (at a reasonable distance) and see feeding time. The wee elephants were so cute! They all get fed 4 times a day and there were a considerable number of elephants there so they must go through a LOT of milk! I haven't been to any other elephant places yet but from photos a lot of elephants, especially city elephants, have chains round their feet and have close contact with humans and tourists. Even elephants who belong to and live with monks at temples are chained and controlled with long sticks with spikes at the end. It was really nice to see proper wild elephants in Uda Walawe and to see the good work happening in the transit home.
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| the older elephants eat leaves after having their milk |
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| this guy was just a few months old! |
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| the little guys getting their milk |
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