{"id":4120,"date":"2025-08-14T10:07:28","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T04:37:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fintechnews.lk\/?p=4120"},"modified":"2025-08-14T10:07:28","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T04:37:28","slug":"a-gentle-step-towards-the-wild-shangri-la-reaffirms-its-commitment-to-sri-lankas-wildlife-with-the-adoption-of-baby-elephant-el-la","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fintechnews.lk\/index.php\/2025\/08\/14\/a-gentle-step-towards-the-wild-shangri-la-reaffirms-its-commitment-to-sri-lankas-wildlife-with-the-adoption-of-baby-elephant-el-la\/","title":{"rendered":"A Gentle Step Towards the Wild: Shangri-La Reaffirms Its Commitment to Sri Lanka\u2019s Wildlife with the Adoption of Baby Elephant El-la"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Shangri-La team, Dr. Malaka Abeywardana, Veterinary Surgeon, Department of Wildlife Conservation, mark the adoption of El-la.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Shangri-La Colombo and Shangri-La Hambantota have reaffirmed their long-standing commitment to sustainability, biodiversity, and meaningful local partnerships through the adoption of a baby elephant\u2014affectionately named El-la (\u2018El\u2019 for elephant + \u2018La\u2019 for Shangri-La)\u2014in collaboration with the Elephant Transit Home (ETH) in Udawalawe, Sri Lanka.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sri Lanka is home to approximately 4,000 wild elephants, a number that has declined dramatically from over 12,000 in the early 20th century. Today, the survival of these iconic animals is under increasing threat. In 2024 more than 388 elephants lost their lives, and in the first seven months of 2025 alone, over 44 elephants were killed by gunfire\u2014largely due to escalating human-elephant conflict, driven by shrinking habitats and the encroachment on traditional elephant corridors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behind these statistics are stories\u2014of orphaned calves left alone after their mothers were killed, of fractured herds, and of young elephants with no clear path forward. Ella\u2019s story is one of them.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Born in the forests of Sri Lanka\u2019s North Central Province, Ella was separated from her herd and fell into an agricultural well. Alone and vulnerable, she was rescued by wildlife officers and brought to the Elephant Transit Home\u2014a place of healing, preparation, and hope.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1995, the ETH, under the Department of Wildlife Conservation, has been at the forefront of elephant rescue and rehabilitation. Located on the border of Udawalawe National Park, the centre has rescued over 300 orphaned elephants, with more than 198 successfully released back into the wild. Unlike traditional sanctuaries, the ETH ensures minimal human interaction, preparing the young elephants for a fully independent life in their natural habitat.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shangri-La Colombo and Shangri-La Hambantota are committing over USD 10,000 to care for, rehabilitate, and prepare El-la release over the next four years\u2014protecting one life, and with it, a piece of Sri Lanka\u2019s wild future.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through a five-year adoption agreement, Shangri-La will fund and support Ella\u2019s care, nutrition, medical treatment, and rewilding process\u2014becoming a part of her journey from vulnerable orphan to strong, free-roaming elephant.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This initiative reflects Shangri-La\u2019s promise to be more than a place to stay\u2014it is a tangible act of guardianship, where our spirit of sanctuary extends to protecting the living heritage around us. Rooted in the brand\u2019s ethos, it embraces sustainability, biodiversity, heartfelt hospitality, and a deep respect for culture, heritage, and community.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under Shangri-La\u2019s global Sanctuary programme, Ella\u2019s story embodies the pillars that guide our purpose\u2014protecting what is precious, living in harmony with nature, creating purpose-led guest journeys, and building emotional connections that go far beyond the stay.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cElla is more than a conservation project; she represents our deep and ongoing responsibility to the land, people, and heritage of this island we are proud to call home,\u201d said Refhan Razeen, General Manager of Shangri-La Hambantota. \u201cOur resort is surrounded by Sri Lanka\u2019s natural splendour\u2014and this initiative is a reflection of our duty to protect it.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Herv\u00e9 Duboscq, General Manager of Shangri-La Colombo, added: \u201cAt Shangri-La, we believe that true hospitality extends beyond service\u2014it embraces stewardship. Supporting Ella\u2019s journey is an embodiment of that belief, and a reminder that care for the wild is care for our future.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guests at both Shangri-La properties will be invited to follow Ella\u2019s progress through thoughtfully curated experiences, conservation storytelling, and a bespoke collection of eco-conscious merchandise.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a world where nature\u2019s balance is increasingly fragile, Shangri-La continues to stand gently, but firmly, in its role as guardian of what is precious.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ends<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Shangri-La Colombo and Shangri-La Hambantota have reaffirmed their long-standing commitment to sustainability, biodiversity, and meaningful local partnerships through the adoption of a baby elephant\u2014affectionately named El-la (\u2018El\u2019 for elephant + \u2018La\u2019 for Shangri-La)\u2014in collaboration with the Elephant Transit Home (ETH) in Udawalawe, Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is home to approximately 4,000 wild elephants, a number […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4120","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fintechnews.lk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4120","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fintechnews.lk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fintechnews.lk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fintechnews.lk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fintechnews.lk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4120"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/fintechnews.lk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4120\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fintechnews.lk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4120"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fintechnews.lk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4120"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fintechnews.lk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4120"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}