TRAVEL MEMOIRS

The Elephants of Pinnawala, Sri Lanka

As a journalist, I went to investigate the sanctuary

“You lookin’ at me?” — photos by the author Darren Weir

While planning my relatively short, week-long visit to Sri Lanka I discovered an elephant sanctuary I could visit near Pinnawala. It’s actually called an elephant orphanage.

Orphaned baby elephants? I wanted to go.

My heart was set on it but I had to convince my head that it would be alright. As a former journalist, I did my research, reading as much as I could about the place. And it seemed legitimate.

I care deeply about animal welfare. I’m not a fan of zoos and I despise animal circuses or any place that puts animals in cages or trains and abuses them for human enjoyment. They belong in the wild, in their natural habitat.

The premise of the orphanage was positive. They claimed to rescue orphaned baby elephants found in the jungle as well as animals that were injured and suffering. I read several articles — both positive and negative — before I made the decision to visit and see for myself.

Big Ears — Darren Weir