Anantara Kalutara Bolsters Elephant Conservation in Sri Lanka with Essential Medical Donation

Anantara Kalutara Resort has made a vital contribution to the conservation of Sri Lanka's endangered elephants by donating a specialized ultrasound machine to the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe.

Supporting Elephant Rehabilitation

This significant donation addresses a specific need identified by Dr. Malaka Abeywardana, the veterinary surgeon at the Elephant Transit Home. The ultrasound machine will greatly enhance the medical care provided to injured elephants, particularly young orphans, as they undergo rehabilitation and prepare for reintroduction into the wild.

Dollars for Deeds Program

The donation was made possible through Anantara Hotels & Resorts' Dollars for Deeds program, which matches guest contributions dollar for dollar. This initiative reflects the resort's commitment to communal responsibility and its ongoing support for local wildlife conservation efforts.

The Role of Elephant Transit Home

Located within Udawalawe National Park, the Elephant Transit Home serves as a sanctuary for orphaned baby elephants. The facility provides a natural environment where elephants can thrive with minimal human interaction, ensuring they retain their wild instincts. After four to five years of care, these elephants are released back into the wild. The Transit Home is a pioneering facility in Asia, dedicated to the rehabilitation and rewilding of elephants.

An Ongoing Commitment to Conservation

Keith Tomkies, Cluster General Manager of Anantara Kalutara Resort and Avani Kalutara Resort, emphasized the importance of this partnership: “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.”

A Global Conservation Effort

This initiative is part of Minor Hotels' broader efforts to support endangered elephant populations across Asia, including the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, which has been active since 2005 in Thailand and Cambodia.

Future Initiatives

Anantara Kalutara Resort is also raising additional funds to sponsor more medical equipment, support monthly care initiatives for elephant calves, install CCTV systems for wildlife observation, and contribute to a disease control project within the Transit Home.

With this donation and continued efforts, Anantara Kalutara is playing a crucial role in ensuring the future of Sri Lanka's elephant population and supporting the vital conservation work at the Elephant Transit Home.