Welcome to the Elephant Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre
Tamil Nadu is home to 2,761 wild elephants and approximately 127 to 145 captive elephants maintained by the Forest Department, temples, and private individuals. The Forest Department, known for its expertise in handling elephants and wildlife, is often called upon to take over captive elephants that are diseased, aged, debilitated, arthritic, or aggressive.
Due to the increasing number of such requests, there was a need to establish a dedicated facility for their care. In response, an Elephant Rehabilitation Centre was set up in 2009-10 at M.R. Palayam Reserve Forest, Tiruchirappalli Forest Division, covering 19.80 hectares along NH-45 (Chennai-Kanniyakumari Highway). This centre provides veterinary care for injured, sick, and orphaned elephants.
As per the Hon'ble High Court's order and directions from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, several captive elephants have been relocated to this centre.
