New facility for elephants in musth at Pinnawala

By Indika Sri Aravinda

Colombo, September 2 (Daily Mirror) - The Department of National Zoological Gardens, Dehiwala announced that a special facility is being built at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage to house elephants during their musth periods.

Director General of the Department, Dr. Chandana Rajapaksa, said the project will cost Rs. 45.3 million and will be the largest facility of its kind in the country. The construction is being carried out in two phases.

Pinnawala currently has 68 elephants, including 39 males. Dr. Rajapaksa explained that male elephants in musth, which can last between one to six months, often become aggressive and cannot be kept together. Each elephant will therefore be housed individually in the new facility.

At present, the elephants are kept in common areas, leading to frequent conflicts during musth. The new facility is expected to reduce such issues.

The first phase of the project is scheduled to be completed and opened next month, Dr. Rajapaksa added.