Approximately 32km (20 miles) north of the A2 coastal road, entered via Timbolketiya on the A18 highway to Ratnapura and Colombo, the Uda Walawe National Park was designated in 1972 to offer a refuge to migratory elephants, and as wild habitat around it has been lost to cultivation, it has also become a sanctuary for many other mammals, including toque monkey, grey langur, spotted deer, wild pig, leopard and sambar, as well as numerous birds. As many as 100 bird species may be spotted here in a single day. Uda Walawe is particularly rich in raptor species, among them white-bellied sea eagle, crested serpent eagle and changeable hawk eagle.

The variety of terrain includes abandoned teak plantation, open grassland and scrub jungle, and this varied habitat makes for an equally rich variety of wildlife and game-spotting opportunities. In the heart of the park is the Uda Walawe Reservoir, a huge man-made lake (known in Sri Lanka as a 'tank') with a surface area of up to 3400ha (8401 acres), which provides irrigation for farmlands downstream and generates hydro-electric power.

Uda Walawe is not without its problems; illegal settlement and cattle grazing, especially around the reservoir area, threaten habitat, and relatively large numbers of visitors in their own vehicles also place habitat and animals (especially elephants) under stress. There is also a sporadic poaching problem.

ELEPHANT TRANSIT HOME (ETH)

Uda Walawe National Park is home to the Elephant Transit Home. Here, abandoned, injured or orphaned baby elephants are sent from all over to be treated and then released back into the wild in the safety of the National Park. Each year, around 30 baby elephants are separated from their herd and reported to the authorities in Sri Lanka. Wherever they are found, they are taken to the Elephant Transit Home (ETH) at Uda Walawe National Park. This can be a long drive. Once the elephant reaches the ETH they get medical attention, food, shelter and the companionship of other elephants at the park. The elephants are usually released when they are 3 ½ to 4 years old and returned into the wild in Uda Walawe National Park. There are currently 32 elephants between 3 weeks and 4 years old at the facility.

The babies are tagged and their behaviour monitored as they set of into the park to hopefully gain acceptance into an established elephant herd. Up until their release the babies are treated by vets and fed every 3 hours night and day a special blend of milk that is prepared individually for each elephant depending on their nutritional needs. There are currently about 30 baby elephants within the treatment centre of the park and about 500 elephants freely roaming around the extensive outer regions of the National Park. It is not unusual to see herds of up to 50 individual elephants.

The elephants living here are not exploited for tourism or for domestic uses. They are treated as well as the facilities allow until they are ready for release. ETH displays a combination of welfare and conservation, maintaining the dignity of these beautiful animals and all voluntary work here will be working towards a very worthwhile program.