Home Initiatives Biodiversity Udawalawa Wildlife ProgramElephant Transit

Supporting the Elephant Transit Home and Department of Wildlife Conservation

Dilmah Conservation funded the renovation of the Elephant Transit Home (ETH) in 2011 and maintains a dedicated Information Centre designed to create awareness and share vital information on elephants. Dilmah Conservation has also partnered with the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Centre for Conservation and Research in radio-collaring two elephants at the Yala National Park to study the movement patterns of elephants. Visit the Dilmah Conservation Information Centre at ETH to learn more about these majestic creatures and the problems they face.

Radio Collaring Elephants

  • Dilmah Conservation has also partnered with the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Centre for Conservation and Research in radio-collaring two elephants at the Yala National Park to study the movement patterns of elephants.

Improving Infrastructure Facilities at ETH

  • Dilmah Conservation has extended its support to the ETH through assistance to improve its infrastructure facilities, including the refurbishment of the Information Centre and installing solar water heaters and filtration system coupled with a UV sterilizer to help minimise heating costs.

The Soft Release Programme

  • In 2019 Ted was chosen as a potential candidate to join the ‘Soft Release Programme’ to be implemented by the staff of ETH for the first time along with 19 other juvenile calves. 

THE SOFT RELEASE PROGRAMME

The soft release programme allows a gradual introduction to a new environment enabling a smooth transition back to the wild. In May 2020, Ted, at the age of eight, was released back into the wild from the Elephant Transit Home.

The staff and wildlife veterinarians at Udawalawe continue to closely monitor the newly released elephants, including Ted. They are thrilled with the progress of the herd, as the elephants have quickly settled into their new habitat successfully. This may be attributed to the presence of three new elephants that have joined them (also previously rehabilitated residents of the ETH) as mentors to the young herd. They have been observed to be acting as guides, leading them to safer habitats, teaching them to forage for food and discover the best water holes in the area till males like Ted are confident to roam on their own.