Manika

 

Manika: A Beloved Elephant

Manika, a female elephant once associated with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), is now a cherished resident of the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage in Sri Lanka. Known for her affectionate nature, she is one of the orphanage's most beloved inhabitants.

Prior to her arrival at Pinnawela, Manika spent time at the Dehiwala National Zoological Park and the 514 Army Camp in Jaffna. During her time in the army camp, she was found in a children's park that had been under the control of the LTTE.

Manika's journey to Pinnawela was marked by resilience and adaptability. Despite her challenging past, she has thrived in her new environment. Her playful nature and strong bond with humans have made her a favorite among visitors and staff alike.

While Manika has resisted breeding efforts due to her unique physical characteristics, her presence at Pinnawela is invaluable. She serves as a reminder of the importance of conservation and the protection of these majestic creatures.

Elephants and Their Burial Rituals

Ancient tales have long spoken of the peculiar and fascinating stories surrounding elephants. Among these tales, today we delve into a specific ritual associated with elephants: their unique death ceremonies.

According to ancient elephant lore, elephants exhibit a remarkable behavior when a member of their herd passes away. They are said to circle the deceased, touching the body, and even assisting in covering the body with leaves and branches.

Some Asian elephants follow a different practice when burying their young. They are known to carry their deceased calves to small pits in the earth. African elephants, on the other hand, have been observed returning to the burial sites of their fallen comrades.

A 1977 study in the Journal of Drug Issues revealed that elephants face the moon, raise branches, and walk in circles around it. This finding aligns with ancient records, including those of the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder.

It is believed that elephants journey to rivers to perform purification rituals. They are said to splash water and pay homage to the moon.

Undoubtedly, elephants exhibit a unique set of behaviors. The animal kingdom is filled with mysteries that surpass our understanding.

The actions of elephants cannot be taken lightly. There may be hidden meanings within these behaviors. By understanding these different behavioral patterns, we may be able to uncover many predictions.

Tusker Baddia

 After 5 years, "Baddia" came out.

Baddia elephant is another unique elephant living in this country and this elephant was last observed in the year 2018 

(no information reports that the elephant was observed in 2018 and after 2018.)

Baddiya, who had been missing for almost 5 years, surprised everyone and you have come back to observe us all. Since almost 5 years have passed since Baddiya's disappearance, many believed that he was dead and that the missing Gaja Niridu had found a companion again.

Dear Baddiya, we are lucky to see you safe again like this.

Long live the king of elephants.

Elephant Madhu

The elephant that first guided the renowned "Nedungamuwe Raja" to the main Wahalkada (temple gate) is the well-known elephant named 'Madhu' from Muthiyangana. 

This historic event took place in 2006. According to tradition, when a new elephant is taken through the main Wahalkada for the first time, they are usually accompanied by another experienced elephant to help ease their curiosity and anxiety.

An elephant census in Sri Lanka

 

The need for an elephant census in Sri Lanka has been a significant concern for a long time. After 13 years, preparations are now underway to restart this important initiative. The last comprehensive data collection on the elephant population in Sri Lanka was conducted in 2011, and it recorded a population of 5800 elephants. Since then, no further census has been carried out.

Accordingly, the upcoming census is scheduled to take place on the full moon day of Nikini, August 19th. The Department of Wildlife Conservation will conduct the census from August 17th to 19th, covering the entire country except for Colombo. This effort aims to create a complete database on the elephant population across Sri Lanka.

Therefore, this elephant census, being conducted after 13 years, marks a significant event in Sri Lanka.

Tusker Raja

The Esala Perahera in Kandy is historically significant because of the elephant Raja. This young elephant, captured by a professional elephant catcher named Umeru Lebbe from Batticaloa in 1925, was purchased by Tikiri Bandara Disawe of Giragama Mampitiya Walawwa and named Raja.

Due to the old age of Disawe of Mampitiya, Raja and another elephant named Kanda were donated to the Temple of the Tooth through a deed of donation. This occurred in 1937. It is said that Raja was about 22 years old at that time. Since then, Raja has had the opportunity to participate in the Esala Perahera, and after the demise of the Idampitiya elephant, Raja was given the honor of carrying the sacred tooth relic.

Raja, an elephant from a high noble lineage of ceremonial elephants, had a slightly higher left tusk compared to the right, a sign considered auspicious. There are many fascinating stories related to Raja, who is intertwined with the history of the Esala Perahera.

In 1955, during the Randoli Perahera of the Esala Perahera, while carrying the sacred relic casket and proceeding majestically, Raja suddenly stopped near the Queens Hotel. Despite the efforts of the mahouts to move him forward, showcasing their skills, Raja did not budge.

The then Diyawadana Nilame, C.B. Nugawela, who arrived from behind, instructed the mahouts to check the Ransivi Geya (golden canopy) on the elephant. It was discovered that a strap of the Ransivi Geya had broken. Raja had stopped to prevent the Ransivi Geya and the relic casket from falling to the ground.

The 1959 Upcountry Esala Perahera was an event that garnered much news, mainly due to the commotion caused by the elephants. Spectators and visitors, fearing for their lives, ran in all directions. Many elephants panicked, causing a great uproar in the streets.

While carrying the sacred casket, Raja stood majestically and calmly. The mahouts tied Raja to a tree on the street, and Raja performed his duty by safeguarding the sacred casket.

Once, a rebellious Raja bathed at the Katugastota bathing place, ignoring the commands of the mahouts and staying in the water from morning until night. By evening, Raja entered the path leading back to his elephant enclosure. A police vehicle had to go ahead of Raja to inform the local people through a loudspeaker to clear the path.

During this time, a disabled person, unable to move off the road, lay down in front of the approaching elephant, pleading not to be harmed. Although Raja approached with his majestic presence, he gently lifted the innocent person and placed him safely on a nearby mound before continuing on his way.

Having carried the sacred casket for a long time, Raja fell ill by 1986. The government provided full support for the treatment of the king elephant, and on August 26, 1986, President J.R. Jayewardene declared Raja a national treasure.

Raja was the first elephant in Asia and the second in the world to receive such an honor. The first elephant in the world to be so honored was ‘Ahmed’ from Kenya.

On January 1, 1987, Raja was injured when a car driven by a drunken military officer hit him on the road. The mahout died at the scene, and this incident gradually rendered Raja’s leg immobile. Raja’s health deteriorated from then on, and on July 16, 1988, Raja took his last breath.

In tribute to the deceased elephant, the government fully supported the reconstruction of Raja by specialists. As a museum exhibit, Raja’s lifelike replica was placed in a special building at the Temple of the Tooth and opened for public display from 1989 under the leadership of President R. Premadasa.

Kalladi Dal Kota

 

"Kalladi Dal Kota" who died of hunger in Horovpatana slaughterhouse 

 This Kalladi Dala Kota tusker king, who was a very young, handsome tusker  king aged around 30 years, who lived freely in the Puttalam area.  But in the face of constant accusations of disturbing people's lives, the Wildlife Conservation Department caught this tusker king from Puttalam, Kalladiya, Cementigama area on July 3, 2018 using cords. 

 At that moment, the tusker king, who was not in any physical condition, was taken to Horovpatana Elephant Care Center (Elephant Sanctuary) as the last journey of the tusker  king.  The young tusker king, who walked freely in the wild, ate and lived auspiciously, lived in the horowpathana abattoir for only 15 days.  The body of the tusker  king was found on July 18, 2018, who had died due to malnutrition due to starvation, which he could not bear without food.  

This is not the only death in Horovpatana, an informal and failed project due to rogue politics.  Before that, the starving elephants died there.  The elephant is the loudest animal on earth, consuming most of its daily routine.  Starving such an animal to death is a cruel killing.  

Dear son, your age (30 years), the nature of your age, so it is impossible to expect the calm behavior of that age at all.  The rulers who could not understand it starved you to death. If you had been electrocuted or shot or died once, we would have made up our mind.  We are sorry king