The role of tourism in wildlife conservation is well known. Armed with cameras, tourists are now shooting Sri Lanka’s elephants and bringing them back from the verge of extinction.
The elephant orphanage at Pinnawela in Sri Lanka is breeding elephants in captivity in a sprawling 25-acre coconut plantation. Before the orphanage was started in 1975, Sri Lanka’s elephant population had dwindled to near extinction due to habitat loss, and ruthless hunting. Thanks to the efforts of the Sri Lankan government and tourists the elephant population has risen from merely seven elephants in 1975 to 65 elephants today, including several bred in captivity.


















