Why elephants are symbolic to Sri Lankans
No other animal has been associated for so long with the people in their traditional and religious activities as the elephant. Elephants hold symbolic, cultural and economic importance in Sri Lanka.
Not only have elephants been used by man during times of war, but they also attract tourists, support logging operations, sports and combat celebrations as well. For many, they have become a means of transportation.
They have and still take part in ceremonial, cultural and religious processions. It is common to see elephants decorated in colorful and elegant costumes in Buddhist festivals all around the island. The Kandy Esala Perahera is the most well known festival that these elephants participate in held by the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, home to Buddha’s tooth.
The Sri Lankan elephant is the largest and darkest of the Asian elephant species. Their characteristics include patches of depigmentation—areas with no skin color—on its ears, face, trunk and belly.
Once found throughout Sri Lanka, they are now being pushed into smaller areas as development projects to clear forests have disrupted their ancient migratory routes. Restricted to dry zones in the north, east and southeast, they are present in many national parks and protected areas including Udawalawe National Park, Yala National Park, Lunugamvehera National Park, Wilpattu National Park and Minneriya National Park.
Usually led by the oldest female known as the matriarch, herd sizes range from 12-20 individuals or more with embedded nursing units and juvenile care units.
Since the 19th century, the Sri Lankan elephant population has declined by more than 65 percent. Today, they are protected under the Sri Lankan law as killing one carries the death penalty.
Elephants have become part and parcel of Sri Lanka’s ecotourism. An iconic constituent of the country’s wildlife, they have been revered for centuries in the place that cares for the world’s largest herd of orphaned elephants.
If you’re ever visiting the tear-shaped island of Sri Lanka, you may very well find an appreciation for these large species. Tourists can enjoy watching, photographing, and riding. Whether elephant trekking through a local village, embarked on a wildlife jungle safari or a trip through one of the many national parks - you will without a doubt take home many fond memories of them!
Sri Lanka’s main national parks where tourists can watch the iconic elephants of the wild include:
Yala National Park
Kaudulla National Park
Wilpattu National Park
Gal Oya National Park
Minneriya, Kaudulla, Udawalawe and Yala National Parks are more popular for elephant back safaris.
The Elephant Transit Home at the Udawalawe National Park is also a fantastic place to watch elephants. Here, orphaned elephant babies are rehabilitated and then released back into the jungle after they become strong enough to survive in their natural habitat.
Yet another fantastic place to experience the earth’s biggest land mammals is the world famous Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage that cares for nearly 90 orphaned elephants, the world’s largest herd of captive elephants. Tourists have the opportunity not only to observe the entire herd bathing in the river but also to feed them with fruits and milk.
*The difference between the elephant transit home and elephant orphanage is that elephant orphanage does not release elephants back into the jungle whereas the transit home releases them.
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