(24 Jan 1995) English/Nat
In Sri Lanka a unique orphanage has been set up to care for the world's second largest mammals.
Pinnawella orphanage is the only one of its type in the world, and the people that run it say the example they set should be expanded to all countries where elephants are threatened.
This is Ranga's first feed of the day. Seven pints of milk are administered by hand five times a day. But for Ranga this isn't just nourishment - it's a lifesaver.
All of the 63 elephants at Pinnawella elephant orphanage that arrived from the wild would have died had it not been for the careful attention of the orphanage staff.
The orphanage now boasts 10 young born of its orphans. Three months old, Esala is Pinnawella newest arrival.
All of the elephants are known by name and looked after by specific members of staff.
SOUNDBITE:
They weren't able to find food for themselves, that's the problem. Then they would have died in the jungle itself.
SUPER CAPTION: Idris Sallay, Orphanage Employee
Twice a day all of the beasts are escorted on the half mile walk to the banks of the Mahaoya River to bathe.
Pinnawella was set up during a severe drought in 1971 when the then prime minister authorised six abandoned calved to be looked after.
The real threat to the future of Sri Lanka's two and a half thousand elephants is not the poachers, but man's increasing use of the land - clearing huge tracts of the country's jungle for the planting of its primary exports - tea and sugar. Thwarting government plans to link the country's national parks with forest corridors. The tea plantations which were founded over a hundred years ago occupy Sri Lanka's most lush lands. In recent years more land has been claimed for modern industries - rubber plantations, and garment factories.
So for the elephants, nature reserves and this orphanage are the best hope of survival. Employees believe this example should be introduced elsewhere in the world where the animals are threatened.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
There is only elephant orphanage in the world and that is here and there should be more to save the elephants.
SUPER CAPTION: Idris Sallay, Orphanage employee
Many of the elephants arrive in a desperate state - some injured, some wounded - all weak. Raja was found in March 1994 riddled with bullet wounds from ivory poachers' guns - alive but permanently blinded. Now she survives as a result of the hard work of the employees of the elephant orphanage.
The orphanage now plans to increase its numbers to over one hundred animals. It's also using the expertise gained by looking after sick and injured animals to further scientific research into elephant care and elephant breeding.
Staff here say it's their way of helping good come of evil.
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