The movement of elephants from the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage to the Maa Oya River has resumed after being temporarily suspended due to adverse weather conditions, the Department of National Zoological Parks said.
In a statement, the department said the suspension was imposed after water levels in the Maa Oya receded, leading to the accumulation of sand and muddy debris at the bathing area. Hazardous materials such as broken glass and metal fragments were also found in the sand, posing a potential risk to the elephants.
In view of these conditions, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage restricted the elephants’ movement to the river as a safety measure to protect their well-being.
Subsequently, with the approval of the Irrigation Department, an excavator was deployed to remove the accumulated sand and debris and to make the bathing area safe, the department said.
Following the completion of these measures, the elephants have resumed their regular bathing trips to the Maa Oya River at the usual time from December 24, the statement added.
