Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Friday, March 6, 2015
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is an orphanage, nursery and captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants located at Pinnawala village, 13 km (8.1 mi) northwest of Kegalle town in Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka. Pinnawala is notable for having the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. In 2011, there were 88 elephants, including 37 males and 51 females from 3 generations, living in Pinnawala.[1]
The orphanage was originally founded in order to afford care and protection to many of the orphaned unweaned wild elephants found wandering in and near the forests of Sri Lanka. It was established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC).[
History
The primary residential care area is on the east side of Highway B199, Rambukkana Road. The main site also has some restaurants / refreshment stands, and management buildings including sleeping sheds and veterinary facilities. The elephant bathing and viewing area along the Oya River is directly opposite on the west side of the highway.[3][4]
At the time it was finally settled, the orphanage had five baby elephants which formed its nucleus. The addition of orphans continued till 1995 when the Elephant Transit Home (ETH) adjoining Udawalawe National Park was created by the DWC. Since then, orphaned babies have been taken to the ETH and addition to the Pinnawala herd has been mostly through births occurring there.[1]
It was planned for the facility to attract local and foreign visitors, the income from which would help to maintain the orphanage. The Pinnawala Orphanage has since become a tourist attraction. In 1978, the orphanage was taken over by the Department of National Zoological Gardens Sri Lanka. In 1982 an elephant breeding program was launched. As of 2012, there were 78 elephants living here.[5]
Tourists can observe the bathing elephants from the broad river bank as the herd interacts socially, bathing and playing. The orphanage is open to the public daily, and all admission fees are used to look after the elephants.[citation needed] Visitors to the park can view the care and daily routine of the elephants, such as bottle feeding of elephant calves, feeding of all other elephants, and bathing in the Ma Oya (River).
Elephant care
The orphanage was established to feed, nurse and house young elephants found abandoned by their mothers. Young elephants sometimes fall into pits and ravines in their quest for water during drought period. Other orphans have been displaced from their wild habitat by development projects or have been found abandoned before weaning, diseased or wounded.[2]
There are 48 mahouts (handlers) who take care of the elephants. The female and young elephants in Pinnawala range freely as a herd during the day in an area of a few acres. They are herded about .5 km (0.31 mi) twice a day to drink and be bathed in the river. At night, the females are individually chained in stalls. Adult males are do some light work such as transporting feed. They are chained and managed individually. Calves born in Pinnawala are not bottle fed, but a few from ETH are kept at Pinnawala and bottle fed as a tourist attraction.[1]
The elephants are fed in their stalls. There is very little food they can gather from the premises of the orphanage except some grass. Large quantities of jackfruit, coconut, kitul (sugar palm), tamarind and grass, brought in daily, form the bulk of the elephants food.[5] Each adult animal is given around 250 kilograms (550 lb) of this green matter per day and around 2 kg (4.4 lb) from a food bag containing rice bran and maize.[2]
Elephant breeding
This elephant orphanage is also conducts captive breeding of some elephants in its care. The natural environment and healthy care and feeding at Pinnawala made the elephant breeding program a success. The first birth at Pinnawala was in 1984, Sukumalee, a female was born to Vijaya and Kumar who were aged 21 and 20 years respectively at the time. The males Vijaya and Neela and females Kumari, Anusha, Mathalie and Komali have since then parented several baby elephants. More than twenty-three elephants were born from 1984 to 1991. In 1998 there were fourteen births at Pinnawala, eight males and six females, with one second generation birth in early 1998. Since then till early 2012, 84 more were born at Pinnawala.[2][6]
12 elephants were released to temples and private owners since June, 2011. Shama (female, aged 24), Lasanda (female, aged 18), Mihindu (male, aged 13), Haritha (male, aged 10 years), Atlas (male, aged seven), Charaka (male, aged five), Asela (male aged 8), Tharindu (male aged 5), Wasana (male aged 11), Arjuna (male aged 14) and Vishwa (male aged 5) were among those.[6]
Animal welfare
Most of the elephants at Pinnawala are healthy and once attaining adulthood, will be retained within the facility mostly since they have become dependent on supplied food. A few disabled elephants are given residential care. One tusker, Raja is blind, and one female, named Sama, lost her front right leg to a land mine.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was the subject of a 2010 report by the Born Free Foundation which calls into question the animal welfare at the orphanage.[3]
Quality of care of elephants who are donated from Pinnawala has been a big public issue. In 2012 The Sri Lanka Environment Trust spoke out against authorities who continue to 'donate' tamed elephants to people who had 'poor' past records of taking care of animals. "There are enough cases to show that the authorities are releasing elephants from Pinnawala to the same group of people who don't take care of the animals." Despite these baseless accusations it is proven that the surveillance is done by the fact that four of such donated elephants by presidential decree being returned to the elephant by a court order.[6]
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Negombo
A fishing town located 35 km from Colombo and 6 km from island's main International Airport. The beauty of the beach, one of the best west coast shores of Sri Lanka and surrounding star class hotels as well as the close proximity to the airport, gave more attraction of tourists .[1]Mount Lavinia
The place located 12 km from Colombo is a historical city from British colonial period. The Governors House of Sir Thomas Maitland, built in 1805, has become a star class hotel today. The fantastic beach is crowded on holidays with local people who enjoy the beach sports activities such as swimming and surfing.[2][3]Kalutara
The place located 43 km from Colombo is important spice trading centre from Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial times. The city also named as one of the sacred city of Buddhist people in the country has large hollow dagoba (Buddhist shrine) near the Kalu GangaBeruwala
The place located 55 km from Colombo is the starting point of 130 km long southern coast also a main fishing centre.Bentota
The place located in south of the country, 62 km from Colombo has romantic scenery hotels and popular for wind surfing and water skiing.
Pasikudah & Kalkudah
Kalkuda and Pasikuda are two separate beaches situated nearby in Batticloa district of eastern province nearly 300 km from Colombo. These are famous for its sand and calm water.Go Lanka, Unawatuna Sri Lanka Travel & Accommodation Guide
Unawatuna
Described as most wonderful beach location by the nature, Unawatuna is one of the best Scuba Diving Locations in Sri Lanka. It is famous beach, Scuba Diving, Surfing and Sea Food in Sri Lankan Style. The Jungle Beach, Roomassagla Hills, Kathaluwa Temple, Galle Fort are nearby interesting places. Although it had suffered heavily in the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami events that hit Sri Lanka and southeast Asia countries, this seaside community was rebuilt quickly, and touristic activity was resumed, giving the chance to travelers looking for an authentic Sri Lankan beach resort to have a unique time.[4]Mirissa
Mirissa is a small, beautiful and rocky beach which is calm, relaxing and almost private.Whales and dolphins watching, deep sea fishing, river trips, snorkeling and bird watching are activities you could do while you travel in Mirissa, Sri Lanka. Many tourists come to Mirissa for whale watching. you can watch the whales in the Indian Ocean off the Mirissa harbour in the November-April season. A few tour companies arrange trips for a low cost.
Weligama
Weligama is a unique Bay and Beach with a wide and long sandy beach located in Matara District of Southern Province close to Matara town. The tiny island once owned by Frenchman Count de Maunay has built a beautiful house on it. The bay is famous for its remarkable fishermen doing stilt fishing and hand made lace, Devil Dance Shows and it's seafood. Weligama is also a wonderful Scuba Diving and Surfing location.Polhena
Polhena beach is about 2 km inside to the Matara city. This is ideal place for scuba diving, surfing, sunbathing. This is a very famous destinations because of the natural swimming pool created by the coral reef. There is not only one beach; it consists of bunches of beaches along the coastline.
Dickwella
Dickwella beach (also called Dikwella or Dikwella South) is about 22 km east of Matara. This long sandy beach is largely protected by headlands, reefs and sand-bars, making it safer for swimming.
The headlands have reefs along their rocks, close to the beach. At both the Pehambiya end and the western end, swimmers can snorkel out from the beach to watch colourful reef fish amongst the rocks.
Hikkaduwa
The place located in south of the country, 100 km from Colombo is the first area to be developed for tourism. The famous coral reef and scuba diving gets tourist's more pleasure there.Koggala
The place located in south of the country, from 130 km from Colombo, has finest beach and historical Madol Duwa (island surrounded by lake) as mentioned in Sri Lankan literature.You can spot the very famous Stilt farmers here; farmers who sit on stilts and fish when there is a suitable tide.
Tangalle
Tangalle is located in down south district of Hamabanthota few km away from Mathara. It is a beautiful and natural palm fringed sea bay and a Fishing Harbor offering great sea food. The long and great beach and the corel reef are best attractions. The Dutch Fort built with corals now used as a prison.
Trincomalee
Trincomalee is a natural deep-water harbor that attracted great sea farers like Marco Polo, Ptolemy and Sea Traders China and East Asia from the ancient times. The long and wide beaches offer surfing, scuba diving and fishing and whale watching. This sea town has the largest Dutch fortress of Sri Lanka has the oldest Hindu temple Tirukonesvaram Kovil in Sri Lanka.Nilaveli
The place located in east of the country 276 km from Colombo and 14 km from Trincomalee. The natural habour and beach is one of finest in world. Nelaveli is ideal place for water sports like scuba diving.Batticaloa
Batticaloa is situated in the east coast of Sri Lanka with a great lagoon and beach with a fascinating culture of the east. The Dutch made their first footstep in Sri Lanka here in 1602. The Dutch fort was built in 1665 is visible near the Batticoloa Lagoon.Kalkuda and Pasikuda Kalkuda and Pasikuda are two separate beaches situated nearby in Batticlo district of eastern province nearly 228 km from Colombo. These are famous for its sand and calm water.
Arugam Bay
The place located in south east of the country 317 km from Colombo is a fine beach near associated with fishing villages. It has been identified as the best surfing beach in Sri Lanka and 4th best in south east Asia. It also comes with the ten best surfing beaches in the world. Wide sandy beaches and lagoons associated with neighbouring Kumana bird sanctuary are added values for visitors going to Arugam bay. Lahugal National Park are Yala East National Park are also located within 10–30 km radious from Arugambay centre. Magul Maha Viharaya (Buddhist temple), Kudumbigala Temple (Buddhist temple), Shastrwela Buddhist Temple, Okanda Hindu Temple are some of places with heritage values. In addition to beaches, wildlife, culture heritage and nature places of interest make Arugambay a unique tourist attraction in Sri Lanka. There is no LTTE threat in and around Arugam bay.[5][6]
Casuarina Beach
Casuarina Beach which is in Karainagar, Jaffna District about 20 kilometers from Jaffna of Northern Province. It used to be a popular tourist destination, but tourist numbers have declined due to Sri Lankan Civil War. However after the end of the 3 decade long war, the beaches unspoilt location has led to a growing number of visitors.Kilaaly Beach
Kilali Beach situated in Kilaaly, Jaffna District of Northern Province. It is famous for calm and sand, with local Tamil sea food dishes.There are seven catholic churches in that village. After 17 – 18 years all the churches are re-functioning. St. James the great is the historical church at beach side. Which you could find from History of Ceylon from c 15000 to c 18000 book.
Before war the St. James church was functioned under Late Mr. Pethuruppillai Sebastiampillai. http://anbinmadal.org/srilanka_james.html
Vankalai
Vankalai[7] is a major fishing village in Mannar, of Northern Province with a beautiful beach
Galle (Sinhala: ගාල්ල;Tamil: காலி) is a major city in Sri Lanka, situated on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka, 119 km from Colombo. Galle is the administrative capital of Southern Province, Sri Lanka and is the district capital of Galle District. Galle is the fourth largest city in Sri Lanka after the capital Colombo, Kandy and Jaffna.
Galle was known as Gimhathiththa (although Ibn Batuta in the 14th century refers to it as Qali[1]) before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century, when it was the main port on the island. Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, during the Dutch colonial period. Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by the Portuguese in South and Southeast Asia, showing the interaction between Portuguese architectural styles and native traditions. The city was extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. The Galle fort is a world heritage site and is the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers.
Other prominent landmarks in Galle include the city's natural harbor, the National Maritime Museum, St. Mary's Cathedral founded by Jesuit priests, one of the main Shiva temples on the island, and Amangalla the historic luxury hotel. On 26 December 2004 the city was devastated by the massive Tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake that occurred a thousand miles away, off the coast of Indonesia. Thousands were killed in the city alone. Galle is home to a cricket ground, the Galle International Stadium which is considered to be one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the world.[2] The ground which was severely damaged by the tsunami, was rebuilt and test matches resumed there on December 18, 2007.
Important natural geographical features in Galle include Rumassala in Unawatuna, a large mound-like hill, which forms the eastern protective barrier to the Galle harbour. Local tradition associates this hill with some events of Ramayana, one of the great Hindu epics. The major river in the area is the Gin River (Gin Ganga), which begins from Gongala Kanda and passes villages such as Neluwa, Nagoda, Baddegama, Thelikada and Wakwella, reaches the sea at Ginthota. The river is bridged at Wakwella by the Wakwella Bridge.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Sri Lankan Tiger...
The leopard is colloquially known as Kotiya (කොටියා) in Sinhala and Chiruththai (சிறுத்தை) in Tamil.[2] The Sri Lankan subspecies was first described in 1956 by the Sri Lankan zoologist Deraniyagala.[3]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankan_leopard
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Stilt Fishing
Stilt Fishing
is an old tradition practiced by around 500 fishing families in Galle,
in southwestern-most Sri Lanka, especially around the towns of Koggala, Kathaluwa, and Ahangama.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is situated northwest
of the town of Kegalle, halfway between the present capital Colombo and
the ancient royal residence Kandy
in the hills of central Sri Lanka. It was established in 1975 by the
Sri Lanka wildlife department in a 25 acre coconut property near the
Maha Oya river.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
The Sri Dalada Maligawa or The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a temple in the city of Kandy
in Sri Lanka. It was built within the royal palace complex which houses
the one of the two surviving relic of the tooth of Buddha, an object of
veneration for Buddhists.
The "Sigiriya" Rock Fortress of Sri Lanka
The
Sigiriya Rock Fortress of Sri Lanka is situated in Matale district
near to Dambulla. It can be reached along Colombo- Habarana highway
and turning towards East from Inamaluwa. Then proceeding about 10
km from Inamaluwa and passing Kimbissa township one arrives at Sigiriya.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)