Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage: A Haven for Gentle Giants Nestled in the serene town of Pinnawala, Sri Lanka, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage stands as a testament to humanity’s effort to protect and care for one of nature's most majestic creatures — the elephant. Established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation, this unique sanctuary has gained global recognition as a haven for orphaned and injured elephants. History of Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage The orphanage was initially founded on a 10-acre coconut plantation near the Maha Oya River, with just five orphaned elephants. Its primary aim was to provide care and protection to elephants displaced due to habitat loss or human-elephant conflicts. Over the years, Pinnawala has grown into a conservation center, research hub, and a prominent tourist attraction. Purpose and Conservation Efforts Pinnawala plays a critical role in conserving the Sri Lankan elephant, a subspecies of the Asian elephant classified a...