Another memorable stop on our journey with the club members was the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, known locally as Ath Athuru Sevana. Located near Udawalawe National Park, this special facility is operated by Sri Lanka’s Department of Wildlife Conservation and was established to care for orphaned and stranded elephant calves until they are strong enough to return to the wild.
After our visit to Kuragala, we continued our journey towards the Udawalawe area. The route took us through beautiful countryside, with green landscapes and distant mountains making the journey enjoyable. To reach Ath Athuru Sevana, you can travel along the Pelmadulla–Embilipitiya Road and reach Udawalawe Junction. From there, take the Thanamalwila Road and continue along C.P.D. De Silva Mawatha for about 300 metres to reach the Elephant Transit Home.
When we arrived, we were especially excited to see the baby elephants during their feeding time. Watching these little elephants eagerly waiting for their milk bottles was an unforgettable experience. The calves are given milk and carefully cared for while gradually learning the skills they will need to survive independently in the wild.
What makes this place particularly meaningful is that its purpose is not simply to keep elephants in captivity. The ultimate goal is to rehabilitate the orphaned calves and release them back into their natural habitat when they are ready. The facility has already played an important role in returning rehabilitated elephants to the wild.
As we watched the tiny elephants being bottle-fed, we could not help but feel both happiness and compassion. Their innocent behavior, playful movements, and eagerness for milk were fascinating to watch. At the same time, it was touching to think about the difficult circumstances that had brought these young animals to the centre.
Our visit was therefore more than just another stop on our trip. It gave us an opportunity to learn about wildlife conservation and appreciate the efforts made to protect Sri Lanka’s elephants. We also captured photographs and shared the experience with our fellow club members.
It was a beautiful and educational experience that reminded us of the importance of protecting wildlife and giving these magnificent animals the opportunity to return to the forests where they belong. 🐘🌿❤️
Thanks for reading.
Have A nice day.
Best Regards,
Samadi Madushanki .
