New addition at Pinnawela Orphanage

Chaminda Perera

Another elephant was added to the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage when Uthpala, a female elephant gave birth on Friday. Sabaragamuwa Province Chief Minister Mahipala Herath named the baby elephant Udara.

The Chief Minister visited the Orphanage soon after Uthpala gave birth and inquired into the health of the mother and the baby from the authorities.

According to Zoological Gardens Department Director Duminda Jayaratne the delivery took place in the Orphanage after 15 months.

This is the only orphanage dedicated to elephants which has been alienated from their herds in Asia and it attracts more than 1,000 tourists a day, Jayaratne said. "The staff of the orphanage is also looking after baby elephants whose mothers were either killed or have died due to various reasons. Foreigners are interested in witnessing how these baby elephants are bottle fed by our staff," he said.

He said more local and foreign tourists have started visiting the Orphanage to witness Udara and Uthpala who are in good health.