Anantara Kalutara Resort has made a significant contribution to the conservation of Sri Lanka’s endangered elephant population by donating an essential ultrasound machine to the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe. This specialized medical device, requested by Dr. Malaka Abeywardana, the veterinarian at the Transit Home, will significantly enhance the medical care provided to injured elephants, aiding their recovery and eventual return to their natural habitats.
The donation was made possible through Anantara Hotels & Resorts’ ‘Dollars for Deeds’ initiative, a program that empowers guests to support charitable causes by matching their contributions dollar for dollar. This initiative fosters a sense of shared responsibility and amplifies the impact of guests’ donations.
The Elephant Transit Home, situated within Udawalawe National Park, serves as a temporary sanctuary for orphaned baby elephants. These young elephants are nurtured in a setting that minimizes human interaction, allowing them to maintain their natural behaviors. The sanctuary provides a vast open area, lush forests, and access to the Udawalawe reservoir, creating an environment that closely resembles their natural habitat. After a period of four to five years, the elephants are released back into the wild.
The Transit Home is a pioneering initiative, being the first of its kind in Asia and one of the few such facilities worldwide. Its commitment to providing a safe haven for orphaned elephants and preparing them for their return to the wild is crucial for the long-term survival of Sri Lanka’s elephant population.
Keith Tomkies, Cluster General Manager of Anantara Kalutara Resort and Avani Kalutara Resort in Sri Lanka, stated, “This initiative exemplifies the powerful connection between our guests and the resort in fostering communal responsibility. We are committed to supporting the incredible work done by the Elephant Transit Home through an ongoing, collaborative partnership.”
This initiative is part of a broader global commitment to elephant conservation by Minor Hotels, the parent company of Anantara Hotels & Resorts. Since 2005, Minor Hotels has operated the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, actively engaged in three wildlife protection projects in Thailand and Cambodia. These projects focus on both the preservation of wild elephants and their overall well-being.
Anantara Kalutara Resort is actively working to raise further funds for the Elephant Transit Home. These funds will be used to provide crucial medical equipment, support monthly care programs for elephant calves during their rehabilitation, implement CCTV systems for monitoring wildlife, and contribute to a disease control project at the Transit Home. By supporting the Elephant Transit Home, Anantara Kalutara Resort demonstrates its unwavering dedication to the conservation of Sri Lanka’s treasured elephant population.
