October 2019

The Sri Lankan elephant populace to a great extent confined to the dry zone in the north, east and southeast of Sri Lanka. Elephants can be found in Udawalawe National Park, Yala National Park, Lunugamvehera National Park, Wilpattu National Park and Minneriya National Park yet in addition live outside secured regions. It is estimated that Sri Lanka has the highest density of elephants in Asia.

Prominence in Sri Lankan Culture

At present Elephants are still being used for religious and cultural events such as parades also known in the sinhala language as “Perahera”. At the Dalada Perahera also known as the Esala Perahera, the Elephants are adorned with beautiful silks and illuminated with beautiful lights making the large black animal a royal spectrum. At this parade, the ceremonial tusker carries the tooth relic of the Lord Buddha, making it the holiest saga of the whole parade. The event takes place from July to August.

The Sri Lankan elephant populace to a great extent confined to the dry zone in the north, east and southeast of Sri Lanka. Elephants can be found in Udawalawe National Park, Yala National Park, Lunugamvehera National Park, Wilpattu National Park and Minneriya National Park yet in addition live outside secured regions. It is estimated that Sri Lanka has the highest density of elephants in Asia.

Wild Life- Elephants

Unlike the African Elephants, the Sri Lankan Elephants are comparatively smaller. Asian and African elephants can be differentiated most easily by their ears, head shape, and the tusks. The Asian Elephants have smaller ears, and a twin domed head. Another place to find these animals is in the wild forests and national parks of Sri Lanka such as Udawalawe National Park, Yala National Park, Lunugamvehera National Park, Wilpattu National Park and Minneriya National Park. A Safari would be the best way to explore these animals and more in these national parks.

Elephants Orphanage and Zoo

The closest one can get to an elephant is at the Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawala. The beautiful and charming baby elephants can be seen feeding and being nursed by the caretakers of the elephants. In the mornings the elephants can be seen bathing at the river closeby basking in the sun.

 

National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka

Do not miss the Dehiwala National Zoological Gardens situated within the Colombo district about a 2 hour journey from the Airport. The garden is a spectrum of animals being preserved with several species ranging from 2500 to 3000 animals. The zoo has both the African and the Asian elephants and most amazingly; the evening  elephants show at 430pm which is a performance of a kind.

A word of caution is , it should also be kept in mind that these animals can be dangerous and have caused several casualties as well so be mindful when you are close to such animals. Although they are trained well, they can turn wild due to certain actions of people provoking in their space. Please see that kids don’t get too close to the animal and even if kids do want to get close, it should be with parents supervision.

 

These tamed beasts are also found in villages such as Dambulla i.e. Habarana and Sigiriya for elephant safari rides where one can experience a day in the life of an elephant. Accompanied by the Mahout, the ride will be through villages, jungles, crossing riverine and swamps and sauntering on the main roads. This  wonderful experience will be anyway short of words to be expressed hence should be in the bucket list of any persons wanderlust.