Ms. Jayantha Jayewardene, head of the Pinnawala elephant camp, emphasized that this is the first pair of twin elephants born in captivity in Sri Lanka since 1941. Although the two elephants are relatively small, they are both healthy.

Ms. Jayewardene added that female elephant Surangi gave birth to a male elephant in 2009 and this was Surangi’s second birth. The father elephant, Pandu, 17 years old, is also one of 81 elephants at Pinnawala. This elephant camp was established in 1975 to care for helpless wild elephants. This is a destination that attracts a large number of tourists in Sri Lanka. However, this facility is temporarily closed to prevent the Covid-19 epidemic.

Last year, authorities said the first pair of twin elephants born in the wild in Sri Lanka were discovered at the Minneriya reserve in the east of the island nation. According to official statistics, there are about 200 domesticated elephants in Sri Lanka and an estimated 7,500 in the wild.

The Sri Lankan government has announced strict regulations to protect animals considered sacred in this country where 70% of the population follows Buddhism. Anyone who illegally keeps elephants in captivity can be sentenced to three years in prison. In addition, hunting wild elephants is a criminal offense punishable by death.