Wildlife Conservation - Maiya the Elephant

The survival of elephants within their natural habitat is threatened as a result of rapid expansion of the human population. Fragmentation of protected areas due to settlements and development of agricultural activities is also causing human-elephant conflicts. As a result  elephants are being constantly killed, leaving many baby elephants orphaned or abandoned.

The Elephant Transit Home (ETH) was established by the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) in 1995. The main objective of the ETH is to provide shelter and security for the baby elephants. Annually an average of 15-20 baby elephants are being rescued from wild habitats and become residents of ETH. They will be released to the jungle, when they are strong to survive in their natural habitat.

Since the ETH was established 56 baby elephants have been released back to the jungle.

Sri Lanka is home to about 6,000 elephants which is one of the largest populations of Asian Elephants. However Elephas Maximus Maximus is an endangered species and is protected on the island.  

Maiya was rescued by the Elephant Transit Home at Periyakadu area in Vavuniya on the 03rd of December 2010. It was a male baby elephant, about 2.5 months old at the time of rescue. Maiya was bruised all over his body and he was in very poor health.  Currently Maiya’s bruises have healed after the treatment by the veterinary surgeon of the ETH and is progressing well into being rehabilitated.

LALAN identified the need to assist the programs undertaken by the ETH and is proud to have adopted Maiya.

As Maiya’s foster parent, LALAN pays upto Rs. 300,000 per annum to foster Maiya. These funds are utilized in aid of his milk, medicines, and general upkeep. The ETH is equipped with life saving facilities and equipment such as a hospital and intensive care centre, an elephant ambulance and a kitchen. The ETH is also supported by the Born Free Foundation.