Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
The beginning of the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
The Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maximus maximus), one of the four recognized subspecies of the Asian elephant, is classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
To protect these magnificent animals, the Department of Wildlife Conservation established the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage on 16 February 1975 with just five orphaned calves—Kumari, Neela, Kadira, Vijaya, and Mathali. Its primary purpose was to provide care and shelter for elephant calves that had lost their mothers in the wild.
About Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
In 1982, the orphanage came under the administration of the Department of National Zoological Gardens, and over the decades, it has grown into a world-renowned institution. Today, Pinnawala is dedicated not only to the care of orphaned elephants but also to conservation and breeding, animal welfare, education, research, and responsible tourism.
A significant milestone was achieved in 1984, when the orphanage celebrated the birth of its first calf, Sukumali, born to Vijaya and Kumari. This marked the beginning of a successful breeding program, which has since recorded 76 captive births, including the historic birth of the first twin elephants in 2021.
Conservation & Future Responsibility
Set in a naturalistic environment that closely resembles their wild habitat, the elephants of Pinnawala continue to thrive. The orphanage plays a vital role in maintaining a conservation population of Sri Lankan elephants, ensuring that if the species ever disappears from the wild, Pinnawala will hold the responsibility of reintroducing elephants back to their natural habitats.
The daily activities of the
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage are as follows
Elephant density: The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is home to 65 elephants, including 27 males and 38 females.
| 08.30 am | Orphanage opens for visitors |
| 08.30 am | Main herd moves to the free-roaming area |
| 08.30 am | Small herd (around 7 elephants) departs for the Ma Oya River |
| 09.45 am | Small herd returns to the orphanage premises |
| 10.00 am | Main herd departs for river bathing at Ma Oya |
| 12.00 pm | Main herd returns to the orphanage (free elephant enclosure) |
| 12.00 pm | Small herd departs for bathing at Ma Oya |
| 01.45 pm | Small herd returns to the orphanage premises |
| 02.00 pm | Main herd departs again for river bathing at Ma Oya |
| 04.00 pm | Main herd returns to the orphanage premises |
| 05.00 pm | Ticket counter closes |
| 06.00 pm | Orphanage closes for visitors |
Your day with us doesn’t have to end here! You can join our volunteer programs for a hands-on experience with the elephants,
or even take part in exciting research projects and learn more about these gentle giants up close.
or even take part in exciting research projects and learn more about these gentle giants up close.
Ticket Prices
| Local Children (Under 12) | Rs. 118.00 |
| Local Adults (Over 12) | Rs. 295.00 |
| School Children (Group of 20+) | Rs. 59.00 |
| Foreign Adults | USD 17.70 |
| Foreign Children | USD 8.85 |
| SAARC Foreign Adults (3 to 12 years) | USD 11.80 |
| SAARC Foreign Children (3 to 12 years) | USD 5.90 |
Combined Tickets (Enjoy more with a single ticket! These tickets give you access to both the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and the Pinnawala Zoo, making your visit even more memorable.)
| Foreign Adults | USD 17.70 |
| Foreign Children | USD 8.85 |
| SAARC Foreign Adults (3 to 12 years) | USD 11.80 |
| SAARC Foreign Children (3 to 12 years) | USD 5.90 |
Special Programmes
• Feeding Elephants
Visitors can enjoy the unforgettable experience of feeding the elephants by purchasing a fruit basket for Rs. 590.00. Passes for this activity are available at the feeding area, and the program begins at 9.15 am each day. It continues until the day’s fruit supply is finished or until 2.00 pm.
• Elephant Bathing
Another highlight is the chance to bathe an elephant in the Ma Oya River. For Rs. 885.00 per pass, each visitor will have 10 minutes to join this unique experience. Passes can be purchased at the eight issuing points located at Ma Oya. The program operates daily from 9.15 am to 11.45 am and again from 2.15 pm to 3.45 pm. However, on days of heavy rain, this activity may be suspended without prior notice for safety reasons.
• Elephant Walk
The Elephant Walk offers visitors the opportunity to walk alongside an elephant for 10 minutes. A ticket for this experience costs Rs. 1,180.00 and can be purchased at the entrance counter. The program is available daily from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm.
Department of National
Zoological Gardens
120 Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha,
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Sri Lanka
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Sri Lanka
Mon – Sun: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
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