Pinnavala - nursery for wild elephants, located in the village Pinnavala, 13 km north-west of the town Kegalla Sabaragamuwa Province. Pinnavala known in the world due to the huge population of elephants living out of the will. The shelter has 88 elephants, including 37 males and 51 females from three generations elephants living in Pinnavale.

The nursery was established to care for and protect the newborn wild elephants found in the jungle of Sri Lanka. It was created in 1975 by the Department of Wildlife Conservation and originally located in the national park Vilpattu, then it moved to a tourist complex in Bentota, and then in Dehiwala Zoo. From there he was moved to the village Pinnavala 10 hectare coconut plantation adjacent to the river Maha Oya.

The main area of ​​the nursery is on the east side of the highway B199, on the road to Rambukkanu. The main complex includes several restaurants / stalls and administrative buildings, including a barn and veterinary institutions. Place bathing elephants and a playground, where you can watch for it, is directly opposite, on the west side of the highway.

At the time of founding the kennel, there were five babies who subsequently became his core. In 1978, the nursery was handed over to the Department of National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka. In 1982 a program was launched for the breeding of elephants, which continues today. Receipt of new individuals continued until 1995, when the national park was created Udavalave temporary home for elephants. Since then, found young elephants began to send there, and the population began to grow in Pinnavale due to the natural offspring.

Proceeds from the involvement of local and foreign tourists help to keep the nursery. Since its founding, the nursery Pinnavala has become one of the main attractions of Sri Lanka. Tourists are invited to not only watch, but also to participate in feeding the elephants.