Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, Elephant rehabilitation center in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka.
Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home is a rehabilitation center located within Udawalawe National Park that cares for orphaned elephant calves. Staff provide medical treatment, daily feeding, and training to prepare these young animals for eventual release back into the wild.
The Department of Wildlife Conservation established this facility in 1995 in response to the growing need to care for orphaned elephant calves in the region. Over decades, the center has successfully rehabilitated hundreds of young elephants and returned them to protected habitats.
The center reflects local values about caring for orphaned young animals by keeping human contact minimal, which locals see as essential for successful return to the wild. This approach shapes how visitors understand wildlife protection in the region.
Visitors can watch feeding sessions daily from designated observation platforms and should arrive in early morning or late afternoon when elephants are most active. The facility is walkable on foot, and it helps to wear comfortable shoes and bring sun and rain protection.
The center uses solar-powered heating to prepare milk formulas for orphaned calves, combining animal care with environmental responsibility in an unexpected way. This approach shows how modern rehabilitation blends practical needs with ecological awareness.
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