The Sad Truth – Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in Kandy
The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage near Kandy is a government run property and one of Sri Lanka’s main attractions. It became super popular because of all the beautiful pictures that are shared on Instagram by influencers. On those pictures we see elephants bathing in a river or people having breakfast with a stunning view over the animals. And so, a mass of tourists arrive at the orphanage wanting to experience the same and thinking that by visiting this place they contribute to a good cause… they are strongly mistaken. The truth is much grimmer..What seems like elephants having a playful time in the nature, is in fact torture.
Behind the Pretty Pictures Lies the Ugly Truth
We must admit that visiting the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in Sri Lanka was the main reason we wanted to visit this country. It was on our bucket list already for many years. Just a few weeks before our trip we still thought we would visit it and that it was harmless or even contributing to the animals well being.
It took us one google research to find out the terrible truth about this place. Once in Sri Lanka, we talked to multiple locals in different parts of the country as well as few tourists that have visited this place. And our discovery was only confirmed: this place is far from helping elephants, instead it turns their life into hell.
The Business of the Posing Elephant
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is recognisable for its beautiful photos of majestic elephants in a river. But those pictures do not reveal what is hidden behind those scenes influencers capture.
You want to know the secret of taking the best pictures of elephants in a river? Every morning before sunrise the animals are lead by their guards to the river and then chained to the rocks beneath the water on a very short chains. You can see those chains when the tide is low.
The same men then use sticks and sharp objects to poke and hit the animals so they obey and kneel in the water for their daily bathing. Far from understanding the truth, this daily ritual is accompanied by applause from tourists laughing and enjoying this gruesome show.
By the end of the day, the elephants are lead out of the town, and chained again on maximum half a meter chains. If and when some of them behave “badly” (meaning according to their instincts), they are kept on chains for 6 months non stop to break even more their spirit.
From Good to Bad
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage near Kandy might had initially good intentions. But from the moment the government realised they could make so much money out of it, they simply forgot about morality, ethics and simply, humanity. Their breading program is served for the sole purpose of having more animals to entertain tourists. The elephants are not released out into the wild as it is said. They are kept captive all their lives and pass a process called Phajaan- the traditional—and brutal—days- or weeks-long breaking a young elephant’s spirit.
National Geographic just recently released an eye-opening, truthful and brutal article about wildlife tourism. We highly invite everyone who ever wanted to interact with wild animals during a tourist trip to read it. We guarantee it will change your way of thinking.
There is more information both on google as well as real pictures of Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage on Instagram. Do your own research if you’d like. But please: be a wise traveler and DO NOT contribute to this horror. DO NOT go to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Kandy. Instead educate yourself and spread awareness wherever you go.
Experience Elephants in a National Park
If you came to Sri Lanka to see elephants, you can do so in one of 15 the National Parks. In those parks, animals are free to roam around wherever they want and tourists are just guests.
Kaudulla NP Udawalawe NP
You can also visit Elephant Transit Home near Udawalawe National Park. Orphaned elephants calves are taken in, nurtured, cared for back to health. They are raised until they are 4 or 5 years old, and then released back into the wild. These elephants are free to roam around and are never chained. Tourists can watch the feeding 3 times a day, but only from a platform located in a safe distance. This ensures that the elephants are not disturbed by human presence.
↬ Read : The Best National Parks for Safari in Sri Lanka
Elephant Transit Home Elephant Transit Home
This site and it’s comments about Pinnawala is really ignorant about the lives of orphaned ex-working elephants in Sri lanka. I vistited it 10 years ago and again recently. I have family who live nearby. I didn’t see the attrocities that you claimed. Much of your comments are no longer relvant as most of the comments have been addressed. No longer can humans come close to the Elephants except by a single feeding station. However, many of your comments never needed to be addressed.
These Elephants are not wild animals it is not a concervancy or a zoo even. It is an orphanage for wounded, old and truamatised Elephants. These animals were bred and kept by their original owners as working animals for the construction and for forest clearing. Many have lived harsh lives already and are traumatised and wouned before they come to Pinnawala. Some had gone rogue and damaged property, even killed other animals, Elephats or humans. These Elephants are sent to Pinnawala for care, rest and treatment. If not, they are put down by the authorities. For some Elephants, this is their last chance / port of call. The chains are necessary until the Elephants can co-exist with other Elephants without harm to each other. I’m nto saying that Pinnawala is a perfect place but you really should research your facts before your write what is effectively ignorant slander on your travel web site.
Regards
Gareth Cooper
Dear Mr. Gareth Cooper,
Thank you for sharing your opinion. While traveling, we always try to educate ourselves, understand the reality and the life of other nations. Our intention is to travel responsibly and sustainably, and try to inspire other travellers to do the same.
We are very happy to hear that the elephants circumstances at the the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage have improved. We are very glad to hear people no longer can come close to the elephants.
However we believe that there is still a lot that can improve at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Despite of what your rude comment suggest, we base our opinion on local research done during our trip in Sri Lanka and countless informations from organisations like Peta and documentaries from the National Geographic or BBC. Responsible Travel does not support the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and even today reports of its breading programs.
That’s why in this article we share a better alternative of contributing to the well being of elephants- visiting the Elephant Transit Home. A place where orphaned elephants calves are taken in, nurtured, cared for back to health and then released back into the wild.
However of course we are aware that it is always an individuals decision to follow our recommendation or not. The only thing we can hope for is that whichever decision they make, will be a more informed one, thanks to our article.
I am amazed at foreigners expressing their opinion in such emotional terms. I doubt very much that it is in the interests of the keepers to physically hurt or stress the animals upon which their livelihood depends.
Dear Professor PJ. Snow,
Thank you for sharing your opinion. While traveling, we always try to educate ourselves, understand the reality and the life of other nations. We are not here to judge the elephant keepers intentions, or what motivates them to act in a certain way. Our intention is to travel responsibly and sustainably, and try to inspire other travellers to do the same. However we are aware that it is always an individuals decision to follow our recommendation or not. The only thing we can hope for is that whichever decision they make, will be a more informed one, thanks to our article.