Kodanad Elephant Training Centre — Attraction in Kerala

Kodanad Elephant Sanctuary is an Elephant Training Centre is a rural riverside village in the Ernakulam district of the state of Kerala, situated on the south bank of Periyar river, about 42 kilometers east of Kochi. Kodanad is the headquarters of Malayattur forest division and is known for the ‘Elephant Kraal’ also know as the “Elephant training camp”. In 1950-60s, kodanad elephant training centre used to be the largest of several elephant training centres for captured Elephants from the adjoining forest regions. They were trained using Mahouts, especially skilled people also known as Paappaan in the Malayalam language. In the 1970s, there was a ban to elephant capture by Government of India and from then on, Kodanad is primarily used as a rescue training centre. It's a popular picnic spot and tourist destination in Kerala too. It is the only elephant rescue and training centre in Kerala specialized for rescuing and training stranded adult and baby elephants from the forest regions across Kerala. Kerala is famous for its huge and elegant tuskers. The people of Kerala consider them as auspicious and they adore the famous tuskers of Kerala. Fully decked tuskers from Kodanad elephant sanctuary constitute one of the main attractions of the festivals of Kerala. These gentle mammals are given the privilege of carrying the idols of the temples. Guruvayoor Kesavan was the most famous among tuskers. When he died he was honored with a State Funeral. Rich aristocratic families own these elephants and treat them as their own family members. The elephants are trained in the Kodanad Elephant camp. There you can enjoy an elephant ride and the place is ideal for exciting photography as well. There are many walkways alongside the river and they offer a unique experience to the visitors. The Elephant rescue and care centre for central and southern forest region of Kerala is located here. Kodanad is known for its ‘Elephant Kraal’, elephant rescue centre, mini zoo and its access via river boats to the seasonal pilgrimage centre of Malayattoor. Malayatoor church and Kodanad are located on the opposite banks of the Periyar river with unspoiled and rustic views of surroundings. Kodanad’s rural locality with elephants attracts visitors, film crews,and foreign tourists all around the year.

Elephant Safari in Kodanad Elephant Sanctuary

Kodanad offers elephant safari to the visitors at the main park. At the park, the old ‘Kraal’ is maintained to house elephants, which is a structure made of wood compartments that can accommodate up to 4 elephants.

Elephant Feeding in Kodanad

Visitors to Kodanad Elephant sanctuary can watch the feeding of elephants as nearly 80% of an elephants day is spent on feeding. It is fascinating to watch elephants feeding themselves in their...

Kodanad Elephant Sanctuary is a rural riverside village in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, India. It is home to the Kodanad Elephant Training Centre, which is the only elephant rescue and training centre in Kerala. The centre is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating elephants that have been injured, orphaned, or displaced from their natural habitats.

The centre is open to the public and offers a variety of activities, including elephant bathing, and feeding the elephants. Visitors can also learn about the history of the centre and the work that it does to protect elephants.

The elephants at the centre are well-cared for and receive regular veterinary care. They are also trained in a variety of tasks, such as carrying loads, performing tricks, and giving rides.

The Kodanad Elephant Sanctuary is a great place to learn about elephants and their conservation. It is also a fun and educational experience for the whole family.

Here are some pros and cons of the sanctuary:

Pros:

-The elephants are well-cared for and receive regular veterinary care.

-The centre is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating elephants.

-Visitors can learn about the history of the centre and the work that it does to protect elephants.

-The elephants are trained in a variety of tasks, which is interesting to watch.

-The sanctuary is a beautiful setting, with lush vegetation and a river running through it.

Cons:

-Some visitors may be sad to see the elephants chained up. (I believe with time the government may change its policy and elephants will roam free)

-The sanctuary is not very large, so it can get crowded during peak times.

Overall, I would recommend visiting the Kodanad Elephant Sanctuary if you are interested in learning about elephants and their conservation. It is a great place to see these amazing animals up close and learn about the work that is being done to protect them.

Here are some additional details about the sanctuary:

Opening hours: 8am to 6pm, closed on Mondays. Parking fees: ₹20 for two-wheelers and auto rickshaws, ₹50 for four-wheelers, ₹70 for mini buses, and ₹120 for buses. Entry fees: ₹50 for Indian citizens (adults), ₹20 for Indian citizens (children 5-13 years old), ₹300 for foreign citizens, and ₹250 for still cameras. Toilet facilities: There are toilet facilities available for both men and women.

The facility is owned & Managed by State...

As an elephant lover since childhood, I was deeply disappointed by my recent visit to the elephant training center, especially after having such a positive experience there 10 years ago. Back then, we were able to interact with baby elephants and enjoy the unique experience of bathing them. The elephants had clear paths leading to the river, and there was an overall sense of engagement and care. Sadly, things have changed.

During my recent visit, there was no chance to interact with the elephants, and there were no baby elephants to be found. The elephants didn’t even have a proper path to access the river, with the staff claiming it was under construction. It was disheartening to see the elephants confined to a less engaging environment, especially after experiencing how wonderful this place once was.

To make matters worse, most of the trainers were quite rude, with only a couple being friendly and willing to talk to visitors. This lack of warmth and openness really impacted the overall experience. But have to mention that two trainers who were extremely good. We could see the passion and love for what they are doing through their words.

The facility justifies the changes by claiming that elephants can be unpredictable and that funds are too low to bring in baby elephants. But when you look at successful elephant sanctuaries in Thailand and Sri Lanka, it’s clear that with the right investment and care, these places thrive by offering visitors meaningful, safe interactions with elephants. Asian elephants are incredibly special, and the opportunity to engage with them—particularly baby elephants—could be a huge draw for tourists. People like me, who are passionate about elephants, would happily travel far and wide to spend time with them, even if the experience came at a higher price point.

Baby elephants, in particular, have a therapeutic and joyful presence, and the potential to create a more interactive, welcoming environment could bring both revenue and greater visitor satisfaction. I sincerely hope that the management considers this feedback and works to revitalize the center, making it more appealing to elephant lovers like myself.

We traveled across the world to spend a day with elephants, and I truly hope the facility can return to being a place where people can have meaningful, positive experiences with these...