ETH- A Heart And Home For Orphanaged Elephants

One of my dearest wishes was the visit of the local elephant rescue programm. This so called Elephant Transit Home (ETH) for orphaned baby elephants sounded interesting, and I really wanted to check it out. After I had done some research, I decided that I would feel extraordinarily happy to support this particular programm. Now I want to share with you why and tell you a little bit more about how it works.

The elephantorphanage, «Ath Athuru Sevana» in 33 000 hectares Udawalawa National Park was established in 1995. Since then it offers wild, orphan elephants something like a safe place until they are independent and able enough to be released back into the wild. After the project faced some difficulties in the beginning, it has now been recognised as one of the best wild animal rehabilitation centres in the world. The first orphaned baby elephant taken care of at the Ath Athuru Sevana was a one year old female. She was found wandering alone in the forest near Meegalawa area in the Anuradhapura District. Dr. Nandana Atapattu took the baby elephant to ETH and registered her as the first resident – naming her “Komali”. Since then to date, more than 250 elephants have been taken care of at the ETH. All these orphaned wild elephants are re-introduced to the wild to their natural habitats at the age of five, when they are able to take care of themselves.

The Babyelephants get milk four times a day. In general they are getting fed human baby milk formulae, since there is still no special milk formulae that has been introduced for elephants. Public viewing of the feeding is permitted daily at 9 a.m., 12 noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. The entry fee paid for the viewing goes directly to the elephants, as park officers can buy milk powder and heavily needed medication for their little ones.

Prior to the release, the caretakers and wildlife officers ensure the ability of the elephants to live on their own. As a result, the officers make great efforts to minimize human contact of the elephants during the rehabilitation period. That is why the public viewing takes place without tourist interaction: you must sit on a stand and watch from about a 20 meter distance, seperated by a little creek. Nonetheless it is the sweetest sight ever to watch those adoreable little guys coming on grounds runnig for their milk, opening their mouth widely in excitement. Officers also encourage them to develop bonds with the fellow elephants in ETH. This is helpful for them when they are released back to the wild in groups as they will have more chances of survival. The responsibility of ETH Officers doesn’t end there. Even after release, the health and movement patterns of these elephants are monitored by the officers on a regular basis.

For further information or particular stories of the elephants living there, go and check out the homepage of ETH : www.eth. dwc.gov.lk

ETH ist eine Melde- und Anlaufstelle für verwaiste Elefanten im ganzen Land. Wird ein Babyelefant alleine entdeckt, wird Kontakt zur Institution aufgenommen. Entpuppt sich der Elefant tatsächlich als verwaist und hilflos (oder befindet er sich in der schlimmen Situation nahe dem Hungertod, ist er verletzt oder krank), wird er eingefangen und ins Waisenhaus transportiert. Die Geschichten einiger Elefanten aus dem Elefantenwaisenhaus kann man als Beispiele auf der Website von www.eth.dwc.gov.lk nachlesen. Ihre geschilderten Schicksale berührten mich sehr. Doch eins haben sie alle gemeinsam: sie wurden gerettet! Und das Beste an diesem Programm ist, dass das Ziel für jeden dieser Elefanten die erneute Auswilderung ist! Während die ganz Kleinen noch mit Flaschen gefüttert werden, lernen die etwas Älteren dann, durch einen Schlauch mit Trichter am oberen Ende Milch zu trinken. Da für Elefanten noch keine künstliche Babymilch existiert, wird die Formel der Menschenbabymilch verwendet. Alle drei Stunden ist Fütterungszeit. Dies ist auch die Zeit, in der Interessierte auf einer Tribüne Platz nehmen können (das Eintrittsgeld wird vorwiegend für den Kauf von Milch investiert, aber auch für Medizin) und das Schauspiel live miterleben. Ich habe die Fütterung sehr genossen und kann es jedem nur empfehlen!