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MATCH MADE IN CAPTIVITY
The Millennium Elephant Foundation is making all efforts, including artificial insemination, to increase dwindling numbers
By Ayesha Inoon
Love at first sight is apparently a phenomenon that is not confined to mankind. When Kandula, the elephant first came into the Millennium Elephant Foundation (MEF) at Hiriwadunna, Kegalle, he immediately made his way towards the young female, Pooja. Now a couple, they rarely spend a moment apart. This is good news for the staff and volunteers at MEF, more commonly known as Elephant Bath, where a mating couple is a rare occurrence.

Breeding in captivity is a difficult thing, says Sunil Rambukpotha, Project Manager at MEF. Although the Foundation has three female elephants that come into heat regularly, it is hard to find a male elephant to pair them with. Male elephants should be relaxed and well rested to mate, says Mr. Rambukpotha, whereas the majority of elephants are used for labour such as logging. Also, elephants, which show many similarities to humans in their behaviour, need to take a liking to each other, and to spend at least a fortnight together before they mate. Considering all these factors, natural breeding in captivity is uncommon.

Professor Asoka Dangolla, from the University of Peradeniya, who is a Consultant at MEF, has also experimented with various methods of artificial insemination. The first procedure has been performed on a female, Lakshmi. However, with the gestation period for elephants being 22-24 months, another 6-7 months must pass before they can ascertain if she has conceived.
Domesticated elephants are important because of their cultural value in Sri Lanka, says Mr. Rambukpotha. For instance, they are an integral part of the many peraheras that take place around the country.

The Navam Perahera of 2004 was conducted with just five elephants, to prove that a perahera would not be the same without the grandeur provided by these majestic animals. A survey done by Mr. Rambukpotha reveals that there are about 150 captive elephants in the country today, including the ten elephants that were given out by the previous government. While there is an increase in the number of wild elephants with the opening of the National Parks, the number of captive elephants is in danger of dwindling further.

There is no way to increase elephant numbers, as laws prevent the import of elephants from other countries. If the present government does decide to give out elephants from the elephant sanctuaries at Uda Walawe or Pinnawala, says Mr. Rambukpotha, they should have a team of unbiased experts who will give the animals to the right parties according to the need and the care they will be able to provide.

The MEF has been working since 1999 to improve elephant welfare in Sri Lanka by encouraging the conservation of Sri Lanka's threatened elephant population and compassionate elephant ownership, with the support of the WSPA (World Society for the Protection of Animals).

The estate was opened to the public as ‘Elephant Bath’ in 1979 by Sam Samarasinghe, and his wife, Carmine, is the Founder and President of MEF. Currently the Foundation is home to eight elephants. Pooja, born in 1984, was the first captive elephant to be bred in Sri Lanka.

The Foundation provides asylum for elderly and injured elephants. Raja, the tusker which carried the Sacred Tooth Relic at the Dalada Perahera in 2004, arrived at MEF extremely sick and worn out. He regained his strength thanks to the excellent care he received here.

The MEF also runs a Mobile Veterinary Unit, which treats sick elephants all over the country. The unit has the advantage of local as well as foreign expertise. The volunteer programme at the MEF makes a large contribution to the daily running of the charity and attracts volunteers from all over the world. The Foundation also has a mahout-training programme.

Plans for a hospital on the premises for the treatment of sick elephants are underway. Sick and boisterous elephants have to be continuously sedated for treatment, says Mr. Rambukpotha, which isn’t good for the elephant. At the proposed hospital they hope to prevent this by building a structure where the elephant will not have to be sedated, and also not pose a threat to people.
They also hope to construct a fully equipped library and research centre with modern facilities, which will aid projects such as artificial insemination.

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