News
Back in the wild
View(s):Nine orphaned elephant calves that were brought up at the Udawalawa Elephant Transit Home were released into the Maduruoya National Park on Friday (30) by Wildlife Minister Ravindra Samaraweera.
The five male and four female elephant calves all have GPS tracking collars fitted to them, which would enable authorities to track where the animals are, said Vijitha Perera, Chief Veterinarian at the Udawalawa Elephant Transit Home. He added they would continue to track the movements of these calves for several months after their release back into the wild.
Minister Samaraweera said they periodically release orphaned elephant calves from the transit home. He commended the dedication of officials from the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) for continuing to carry out this task.
Acting DWC Director General Manjula Amararatne, Director (Health), Veterinarian Tharaka Prasad and Veterinarians Malaka Kasun Abeywardana, Pinidiya Akalanka and Dinusha De Silva were among those who took part in the release of the elephant calves.
Text and Pix by Wasantha Chandrapala at Maduruoya National Park
The elephant calves have GPS tracking collars for the DWC to keep tabs on them
Baby steps
The green green grass of 'home'