The Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home is located within the Udawalawe National Park, which is known for its large population of wild elephants. The center was established in 1995 in response to the growing number of orphaned elephant calves due to habitat destruction, human-elephant conflict, and poaching. The goal of the center is to provide a safe and natural environment for the elephants to grow and develop the skills they need to survive in the wild.

At the center, the elephants are cared for by a team of dedicated staff, who feed them with a special formula milk and provide medical care as needed. The calves are kept in spacious enclosures that mimic their natural habitat, and are gradually introduced to wild foods as they get older. Once they reach the age of five, they are gradually released back into the wild in carefully planned and monitored reintroduction programs.

Visitors to the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home can observe the elephants being fed from a viewing platform, which is located a safe distance away from the animals. The center also offers guided tours, which provide a more in-depth look at the rehabilitation process and the challenges facing elephant conservation in Sri Lanka. The tours are led by knowledgeable guides who are passionate about elephant conservation and are happy to answer any questions visitors may have.

Overall, a visit to the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home is a unique and rewarding experience that allows visitors to learn about the conservation efforts being made to protect these magnificent animals.