Here at Millennium Elephant Foundation we want our elephants to have the best life possible. The Asian Elephant Art and Conservation Project (AEACP) agree and after their visit to train Lakshmi and Rani to paint they felt that the money that they raise from selling our elephants paintings should go towards an enclosure for them. We were delighted with this plan and have been working on a design. An enclosure means that the elephants can socialise and lead more natural lifestyles and that they do not need to be kept on chains unless they are meeting tourists.

It will also be an important and leading step towards improving the lives of elephants everywhere as the enclosure will provide a model that can be emulated to mitigate human-elephant conflicts in the really intense areas and that can be emulated to increase the well being of other captive elephants.

MEF as it is now

We have been liasing with staff from the Sri Lankan Wildlife and Conservation Society (SLWCS), keepers at Melbourne Zoo, AEACP and our own staff at MEF to come up with a design that is best for our elephants and mahouts and to the standard required by Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) . There have been many discussions regarding placement of gates, river access, the materials for construction and how visitors can still interact with these amazing animals.

Here is a basic map showing MEF as it is now and before the enclosure.

Below is a map showing the new enclosure in red.

The final design

This design means that the elephants will have approximately 325100 feet to roam around. They will have 24 hour access to the river but gates mean that should conflict arise or there is any danger of flooding we can keep the elephants a safe distance away from danger. We will include smooth corners, we have a mixed herd of boys and girls, male elephants do not usually socialise with anyone so should an elephant become boisterous they will not be able to corner and cause harm to another elephant.

We will also have Musth pens. Male elephants go through a period of time called ‘Musth’. During this time they have a rush of testosterone and become very aggressive. To prevent them harming themselves or another elephant they will be confined in these pens. The size of the pens has been carefully considered as while we want the males to be able to move around we do not want the pens so big as they can charge and hurt themselves.

With their new social life there may one day be a need for ‘nursing pens’. A musth pen will be converted for a new mother and baby to protect the little one and give the pair time to bond.

The fence will be constructed with steel and concrete and one hot wire. Once we have this strong fence in place we will be able to really develop our enrichment program. In preparation for the fence we have already begun getting the elephants more used to each others company and everyday they spend some time together and the volunteers are working on new challenges and games for them!

It will take everyone a while to get used to the new way of life here and when new elephants come to stay they will have to be introduced slowly but we are all very excited to see how the elephants develop and see if and how quickly they interact as a wild herd might.

We hope you are as excited as we are to see this project develop. It is hoped that other homes of captive elephants will follow our lead in providing the very best care for elephants everywhere as we build the first elephant proof permanent fence in Sri Lanka and probably in the rest of the Asian elephant range states, we hope that veterinary findings will back up the already reduced stress levels that we are witnessing in the elephants behaviours.

January 2012 – UPDATE!

The quote is in!

The total cost for the enclosure is going to be approximately $56 000.00 This is a huge amount so we really need your support! Please send us any donations that you can!

Perhaps you would like to sponsor a gate for $250

Or a bolt for $5

Any thing that you can donate will help!

Direct debit to: Commercial Bank of Ceylon LTD A/C No: 1210008801 Swift code : CCEYLKLX

Or

by cheque payable to: “The Millennium Elephant Foundation”

Or use Paypal using this link;

www.elephantart.com Please send an e-mail stating that this money is for MEF.

Thank you. together we can improve the lives of elephants everywhere!

March 2012 Update!

So far from the donation pot in the museum alone we have raised over $1000! The Sri Lankan Wildlife Conservation Society (SLWCS) have come out and mapped the perimeter using their very fancy GPS mapping system (we may have added some space too!).
Please keep the donations and support coming in!

My name is Amie and for the last six months I have been the volunteer coordinator of MEF, just a quick update to let you know what’s happening- so I’m heading home to  the UK, my passport will soon run out but more exciting is that friends of mine are getting married so I’m home for a while attending weddings! Getting dressed up is going to feel very strange!

I hope to be back as soon as I can- I miss the elephants and my Sri Lankan family already but while at home I will do as much fundraising as possible and meeting people that I hope can help us achieve the ‘Freedom Fence’ and also continuing to raise awareness about the dangers of the Howdah. I will also continue to do the volunteer recruitment and web updates.

The last six months have been great, we have seen some real progress and developments at MEF, thanks to our supporters such as yourselves and the hard working volunteers- I have had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people- Sri Lankan, volunteers from all over the world and abroad when I attended the PAWS captive elephant conference in Oakland USA where I learnt so much and met some inspiring people- legends of the elephant world!

I have temporarily left the project in the very safe and capable hands of Wayne and Halina from AWF and an excellent team of volunteers! They are very driven, passionate and creative, making my job very easy but also even more difficult to leave! I will still be in touch with emails, phone calls and skype (I will feel like the wizard of Oz!) and can’t wait to see some of the exciting things that they are working on! Thanks you guys for making my last few days (for a while) so fun!

Vesak Lantern at Millennium Elephant Foundation

We were welcomed into a friends home in the traditional Sri Lankan way with a cup of tea and after playing with friendly dog Jameson we headed into town. After grabbing a pizza we headed to the best seats in the house! The balcony of the Lakeview room at the Queens Hotel- overlooking the gates of the temple of the tooth!

Best seats in the house!

Raja was the second elephant in the parade, bedecked and bejeweled in red and gold, we all shouted together to get Sameera’s attention and he was shyly waving up at us, soon after we saw a characteristic, familiar head bobbing and grooving which meant Pooja was on the way! She was along side Rani which was lovely as we know what good friends they are, Rani got a bit spooked by a dancer who got a bit close and once again we called out to the mahouts and got some big grins and waves! The parade was quite short but the dancers involved are fantastic, whips, fire and amazing costumes!  It was a great night!

Pooja and Rani

The next morning, a little bleary eyed we joined the MEF staff in the traditional Vesak practice of generosity by giving out free juice to any one who stopped by, there were huge barrels of juice and when a bus pulled up it was all units deployed to make sure everyone got some and then a mad dash to collect, wash and refill the cups! It was really fun, people were very friendly and thankful and it was great to feel part of the community, some cheeky boys cycled past a few times, it was a great collaboration between staff and volunteers with lots of jokes and good feelings! By the end we were all sweaty, sticky but still smiling! We also made it onto the local news!

Volunteers giving out free juice

Then we watched the fitting the new ankle restraints ordered to try out on Rani and Raja and paid for by a very generous former volunteer- the mahouts are very pleased, especially as an elephant recently died from lightening strike so now they all want them! They are very becoming in green with red trim!

Chandana and Rani approve!

After all the hard work we headed to a nearby pool, at first it seemed we had crashed a wedding! They didn’t mind and were leaving shortly so we had an epic game of tag which left us even more exhausted! So we recovered with ice cream, fruit salad and cramming seven of us in the tuk tuk!

As ever the compassion, generosity and good sprit of Sri Lanka continues to amaze us.

Ayubowan!

MEF volunteers

For more pictures see the photo album on facebook

As the beginning of the parade neared closer, we saw children dressed in brightly colored costumes, and a young elephant in an elaborate robe.  The parade beagn with teenage boys cracking whips to signal the procession was about to start.  Traditionally this symbolized the sounds of a rainstorm, and it was very loud.  Following the cracking whips were drums.  The men playing the drums, were also dancing around in traditional Kandy costumes.  The purpose for this dancing parade was to bring the rain to the rice fields.

As the elephants went by, there were children of all ages dressed up dancing to the rhythm of the drums.  Some girls were dressed up as peacocks, while some of the boys were dressed up like warriors, and were fighting in a choreographed dance to the drums.  Sitting atop the elephants were men holding up some sort of offering.  Since the parade took place at night, there were men holding up baskets on long sticks with a type of coal burning inside it to provide light for everyone.

We got back in the van about halfway through the parade, and drove up to the front of the procession.  During the slow ride, the veterinarian received a call that one of the elephants was misbehaving, so he jumped out and ran to the back to further investigate.  Once we neared the end of the parade route, he returned to inform us that a male elephant had just gone into musth, and had to stop.  They held the elephant off to the side of the procession until the end, where he was then picked up and returned to his home.

We watched as the full parade came to a close, and the elephants went to the temple to await their transportation back to their homes.  It was an amazing cultural event filled with unique sounds and colors, lots of elephants, and children smiling.  I’m thrilled I had the opportunity to witness this annual event!

So now 3 years later I am back at MEF, sadly Madhu is no longer here- his owner, a monk, has chosen to move him up to the Habarana area where where the dreaded Howdah is used. A howdah is a seat which is put on the elephants back, tightly strapped and then loaded with up to six people (although four is the legal limit) to go for a ride. This may all appear harmless enough but actually can cause major damage. Firstly an elephant is actually not a “back” animal- like a horse, but a feet and trunk animal- as this is where their strength lies. Secondly the howdah is strapped so tightly to stop it slipping that straps hinder the ribs, stomach etc. Thirdly the four corners of the howdah can dig into the hips and shoulders of the elephant. Fourthly the spine can also be damaged.

Sadly and even though Madhu has only been wearing a howdah for roughly nine months he already has a wound on his left hip, he is thin and his spine is being visibly affected. I am told by Samjeewa that he is becoming angry and unhappy. Thankfully Sanjeewa is wonderful. I had first hand experience of howdah damage when I was first at MEF. Another elephant, Sumana was here and had been cruelly looked after by her owner. She had numerous wounds from a howdah, the biggest being dinner plate sized and one inch deep- NOT EXAGGERATING! Unfortunately owners can become greedy and can make alot of money from this business.

I urge anyone considering going on a howdah to rethink their options. There are a few places (like MEF) that should you want to ride an elephant you can do it bare back- nothing quite like it!!!

Enjoy the elephants and Sri Lanka!!!

Sara

We stayed in the most beautiful house which was a five minute walk from the beach. We arrived at the house and settled in, had some lunch and got ready to go and visit the family.

The drive to visit the family was only a 5 minute drive so we were there in a matter of minutes. The unfinished house stands out like a sore thumb compared to all the newly refurbished houses.  So immediately we knew which house it was that  needed the help.

We went to the next door neighbours house and as they were speaking Sara would translate and tell us what they were saying, the family had made a cost list but Sara told them there would be a volunteer program so the labouring cost would be taken off. It was sad to see that one family were left out and all the surrounding houses were finished. I don’t think the family expect much but it seems they will be grateful for any help that they get! They do have a close neighborhood so the family are being well looked after but it will be so heart warming to know that in a couple of months the family will have their house back. The family made us tea and some food which was really nice of them and we drank and ate to show our appreciation. The family asked us to visit another man that was injured in cross-fire in the war which meant he is now paralysed from the waist down. We visited and Sara was trying to see if he could be helped in some way, the man was willing to work as before the accident he was keen on agriculture and would be more than happy to find a job that he could do. We felt really sorry to see a young man that had been injured through no fault of his own but were impressed and delighted to hear that he was still keen and willing to help provide for his family and get back to work doing anything possible.

After our visits we went back to the house to relax and chill out, went went to the beach for and hour or two before dinner, the beach was desserted so we had the whole place to ourselves.

We were up at 7:30am ready to start the day, we had some breakfast then went to a different beach for a few hours, a lagoon, then went on a boat ride around the lagoon. Then stopped for some ginger tea.

We went back to the house for lunch, then left for the temple.

After the temple we went to some hot springs! Which were so hot!!

Then made our journey home.

All in all one of the best field trips Ive ever been on also a definite eye opener!!

Our daily chores included, counting elephant poo and hurling it onto a pile, great workout, who needs dumbells when you can have “dungbells”.

Followed by bathing  and exfoliating the elephant, awesome experience and very refreshing with the hot environment.

Gardening with your fellow volunteers proved to be a nice outdoor bonding time and quite therapeutic for the sole.

Grass cutting proved to be the most eventful.  We later hid the grass in a large paddock and watched our elephants at the end of the day mingle together and chew on their found grass cutting.  Really lovely to see the mahouts, elephants and volunteers come together after a hard day, very rewarding.

Some days included English teaching which again was very rewarding, I think for both us and the children, even if they did spend most of the time laughing at us.

Anyway as mentioned this is our last day, we will miss every aspect of our role as a volunteer here and can’t wait to adopt our first elephant.

Julie and Paul (Australian & Kiwi)

It’s such a time waster watching their individual personalities.

Paul and Julie

Bathe the elephants in the river!

In an effort to increase awareness about the plight of the Sri Lankan elephant and to generate the funds necessary for our elephant’s sustenance and care and fund the the other projects that we operate all over Sri Lanka the MEF actively welcomes visitors.

On your visit to MEF you may like to…

• Wash and feed the elephants
• Take an elephant shower
• Journey on an elephant safari around the estate
• Visit our on-site museum
• Chat with our experienced multilingual guides and volunteers, our guides are also very happy to take photographs and videos for you at no extra cost
• Feed the elephants a fruit plate and further support our projects (200 rupees per plate) all profits go directly into funding medicines and sponsorship of elephants here
• Enjoy refreshment’s or a meal at the Club Concept restaurant located opposite the MEF
• Or just sit back and relax and spend as much time as you like watching the elephants

We hope that by getting up close and personal with these amazing creatures and learning about them in our museum that you will go away with a deeper knowledge and understanding of the elephant and appreciate that we must all do everything that we can to protect and save these magnificent animals.

All activities at the MEF are closely supervised to ensure visitor safety and to ensure that no harm or stress is placed on our elephants. We practice responsible tourism and you will ride the elephants bare back or on a cushion as this is best for the elephants, we regularly treat elephants with severe wounds caused by the wearing of Howdah’s! Please also note that there is NO SMOKING permitted inside the sanctuary.

Visitors should be aware that the elephants at the MEF are not all owned by the MEF and so the number of resident elephants can vary throughout the year.

Media

We are very happy to accommodate film crews wishing to explore the issues surrounding elephants, and to interact with the animals living here. We are able to stage-manage most scenarios for film and documentary makers.

Over the years, journalists and authors alike have visited the MEF wishing to learn more about the plight of elephants in Sri Lanka. If you are interested in filming here please e-mail us for more details.

Dining and catering

Club Concept restaurant, also owned and managed by the Samarasinghe family, is located directly opposite the MEF.  The restaurant is open daily between 8am for 9.30pm and offers snacks and full meals in both Eastern and Western styles. The restaurant has capacity for large parties and individual travelers. Currently being refurbished!

You have the opportunity to play an important part in helping to promote the welfare of Asian elephants in Sri Lanka by becoming a member of the MEF and receiving regular updates on our projects and our elephants.

Currently it costs approximately 7000 rupees (£40/ $61)  per elephant, per day to keep them safe and fed – this does not include the cost of any medical treatment and we want to be able to save more! Your sponsorship money goes directly into funding the elephants upkeep and any extra goes towards projects to improve their lives.

As a MEF member you will receive:

• Free admission to the MEF for one year with your ID card
• An adoption certificate on hand made, recycled elephant dung paper
• An elephant fact sheet and photograph of your own adopted elephant featuring their history, personality traits and news about what they have been up to.
• Quarterly e-newsletters written by volunteers with all the latest on the elephants and our projects here at MEF.

If you are under 16 your membership pack will also include the Millennium Elephant Foundation activity pack containing quizzes, facts and a make your own Ele-friend.

Membership fees are as follows:

• Rs.3500 ($35 / £20)- Adopts one elephant for one year.

Choose from Lakshmi, Pooja, Rani, Saliya, Raja, Kavari Raja, Bandara or Seetha

•  Rs.25000 ($250 / £140)  Adopts all elephants for one year.

NB: prices indicated in Sri Lankan Rupees / US dollars / British Pounds and include P&P.

Please send payments via…

Direct debit to: Commercial Bank of Ceylon LTD A/C No: 1210008801

Swift code : CCEYLKLX

Or by cheque payable to: “The Millennium Elephant Foundation”

Please apply to sponsor an elephant using the form at the bottom of the page.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for supporting the MEF, without your kind donations and support we would not be able to provide such a vital service for the elephants throughout Sri Lanka.