• The Elephant Transit Home inaugurates its Elephant Knowledge Walk

Elephants, one of our most charismatic species, are under severe threat. Conserving elephants is a significantly nuanced issue that requires the collaboration of many parties from the State to the private sector, to local communities and the wider public in order to be fruitful. 

Increasing Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC), as well as natural circumstances can often see young elephant calves orphaned. The Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home (ETH), established in 1995 by the Department of Wildlife Conservation, provides a temporary home to some of these orphans, providing nutrition and care to calves until they are old enough to be released back into the wild. 

With feedings held each day, the ETH also serves as a tourist destination and elephant awareness centre, where visitors can see calves being fed and learn more about the issues elephants in Sri Lanka face. Core to this mission is the information centre located within the ETH. For some time, the centre has been undergoing renovation under the careful tutelage of Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC’s environmental conservation arm Dilmah Conservation, which has renovated and enhanced the ETH’s information centre to create the Elephant Knowledge Walk. 

The Elephant Knowledge Walk

Last week (9) saw the reopening of the information centre and the inauguration of the Elephant Knowledge Walk (EKW). This new information centre marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to safeguard Sri Lanka’s majestic elephants, representing a collaborative endeavour aimed at raising awareness and promoting conservation by offering visitors an immersive experience aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of these magnificent creatures and the conservation challenges they face.

The Elephant Knowledge Walk boasts a range of educational exhibits and interactive experiences. Visitors can explore the nature of elephants as keystone species, learn fascinating facts about different elephant species and their habitats, and gain insights into their social behaviour and distribution within Sri Lanka. The centre provides a welcoming space for relaxation, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature while absorbing valuable information about elephant conservation.

One of the highlights of the Elephant Knowledge Walk is its small natural history museum, showcasing artefacts and exhibits related to elephants and their significance in Sri Lankan culture. Additionally, visitors can admire artwork inspired by elephants and learn about major conservation issues affecting these animals, along with practical ways to contribute to their protection.

A trilingual approach ensures that information is accessible to a wide audience, reflecting the centre’s commitment to inclusivity and education. Moreover, the presence of a souvenir shop named Tusker Point provides an opportunity for visitors to support local communities and ongoing conservation efforts through the purchase of ethically-sourced products.

Speaking on the opening of Elephant Knowledge Walk, ETH Vet-in-Charge Dr. Malaka Abeywardana shared that Dilmah’s support of the vital work undertaken at the ETH underscored the importance of collaboration to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for elephants and their role in the ecosystem. 

Expressing his gratitude for the support received, Dr. Abeywardana said: “Witnessing the handover of the Elephant Knowledge Walk and souvenir shop is a truly special thing to see. The commitment by Dilmah to renovating the facility and supporting the vital work at the ETH is commendable. The Elephant Knowledge Walk and souvenir shop play important roles in communicating to visitors the work the ETH does in caring for elephants in need.”

Collaboration is essential for conservation

Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company Chairman/CEO Dilhan C. Fernando reflected on the profound significance of the Elephant Knowledge Walk in the context of broader environmental stewardship, emphasising that collaborative action with the private sector could do much to drive the efforts of national authorities like the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC). 

Fernando also emphasised on the need to recognise the intrinsic value of nature, highlighting the economic contributions of elephants and the imperative of preserving ecosystem services for future generations. Reiterating his commitment to honouring his father’s legacy of compassion towards nature and people, he emphasised on the interconnectedness of all life forms. 

Fernando remarked: “Elephants are hugely important. We sometimes marginalise the most important things in our value-driven economy. We need to realise the value of elephants and other species. One elephant adds USD 1.6 million to the economy during its lifetime through tourism and rejuvenating ecosystems.”

Former Director General of the DWC Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya also highlighted the intrinsic link between biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, stressing on the urgency of prioritising conservation efforts, citing alarming statistics regarding the endangerment of species and the broader implications for ecosystem health. 

Emphasising on the pivotal role of elephants as ecosystem engineers and advocating for initiatives that promoted their economic value, such as community-based elephant tourism, Dr. Pilapitiya said: “Conservation and development should be a priority. If we don’t conserve biodiversity, there will be no ecosystem services and no development. Elephants are critical to ecosystems and conserving them is challenging.”

Community-based development is key to conservation

DWC Director of Operations Ranjan Marasinghe reflected on the journey that had led to inauguration of the Elephant Knowledge Walk, noting that support from the private sector could help national institutions become better equipped to compete on the international stage. 

Praising the international standard of the Elephant Knowledge walk, he acknowledged Dilmah’s invaluable support in realising this vision. “It is incredible to see an international visitor centre here in Sri Lanka. We are fortunate to have a company like Dilmah supporting us. Its commitment to community-based development is superb.”

The newly inaugurated Elephant Knowledge Walk stands as a beacon of hope and enlightenment, offering visitors a transformative journey into the world of elephants and conservation and a reminder that our actions today will shape the future of not only elephants but the entire web of life that sustains us. Through education, advocacy, and collective action, we can ensure that elephants continue to roam the forests of Sri Lanka for generations to come.