The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, established by Sri Lanka’s Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1975, is located on the banks of the Maha Oya River in Kegalle District, Sabaragamuwa Province. The facility was originally created to care for abandoned and orphaned wild elephant calves unable to survive independently. It now houses the world’s largest captive herd of Asian elephants, currently comprising over 80 individuals across multiple generations. The orphanage has operated the world’s largest captive elephant breeding programme since 1983, with numerous calves born at the facility.
Visits are organised around the twice-daily bathing sessions, when the full herd is led down to the Maha Oya River â a distinctive spectacle with dozens of elephants entering the water simultaneously. Bottle-feeding sessions for orphaned calves are also a focus of visitor interest. The orphanage is a government-run facility and does not offer elephant rides. Visitors should be aware that animal welfare organisations have raised concerns about the management conditions of some older elephants at the facility; independent research into the current situation is recommended for those with welfare concerns.
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