About

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 natural environment

Baby Elephants Washing in Kodanad

Watching baby elephants during their early training years of early life as it takes a lot of training in their early years. The facility is closed on Monday’s for tourists. The is also a ‘mini zoo’ that shelters wild animals which have become unfit for survival in the local forest and some inmates of the zoo are very rare species. Watching kodanad baby elephants at their infancy and various stages of their growth have become a unique feature that attracts visitors to Kodanad. At least four to six baby elephants are brought in and trained every year. Tourists arrive at Kodanad fascinated by the baby elephant’s various stages of development at the Care center. Training plays an important role for elephants while their brains develop and they learn vital survival and cultural knowledge. The baby elephants at Kodanad are owned and taken care by the Department of Forest. Once they become adults, someone buy them out in auctions. In Kerala, elephants are used for a variety of traditional jobs such as timber loading & wood moving, or as temple elephants for religious Hindu festivals & events

Kodanad Elephant Training CentreEntry Details 

• Entry timings - 8 am to 6 pm
• Elephant Safari -Rs 400 for 4 persons ( rates can change over time )
• Safari Timings - 9 am to 12.30 pm and 3 pm to5 pm
• Parking Fees: Car and Jeep - Rs 10
  
• Two-wheeler - Rs 5
• Heavy Vehicles - Rs 30
• Still Camera - Rs 25
• Video Camera - Rs 100
• Monday is a holiday.

Timings