22 Jul Uga Resorts Launches Second Phase of Community Elephant Coexistence Project in Sri Lanka

Image by Monica Max West from Pixabay

Uga Resorts, the award-winning Sri Lankan hospitality group renowned for its authentic luxury experiences, has reached another significant conservation milestone with the completion of a second community elephant fence near its five-star Uga Ulagalla resort in Anuradhapura. Officially opening on 15th July 2026, the five-kilometre electric fence has been developed in partnership with the local community and the Centre for Conservation and Research (CCR). The initiative will help protect 65 farming families and around 132 acres of agricultural land while supporting peaceful coexistence with Sri Lanka’s endangered elephant population.

Unlike traditional boundary fencing, community elephant fences are strategically positioned around villages and cultivated land, helping to prevent elephants from entering settlements while allowing them to continue moving naturally through their habitat. Rather than creating an impenetrable physical barrier, the fences act primarily as a psychological deterrent, reducing conflict without causing harm to the elephants and creating a sustainable solution that benefits both wildlife and local communities.

Commenting on the initiative, Katharina Raaben, Head Naturalist at Uga Resorts and Founder of the Elephant Research Centre (ERC) at Uga Ulagalla said: “Living and working in this region every day, we’ve seen first-hand how important practical conservation measures are for both local communities and elephants. This new fence is the result of months of collaboration and demonstrates what can be achieved when resorts, conservationists and villagers work together. It’s about creating safer spaces for people while protecting one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic species for generations to come.”

Continuing the Work of the Elephant Research Center

The new fence builds upon the work of the Elephant Research Centre at Uga Ulagalla, established in 2020 by Katharina Raaben in partnership with renowned Sri Lankan elephant conservationists Dr Prithiviraj Fernando and Dr Jennifer Pastorini of the CCR.

The centre supports elephant conservation and research while helping to reduce human-elephant conflict in the Anuradhapura region, with its team continuing to monitor elephant movements and share insights with guests through visits to the centre.

Uga’s primary electric fencing project at Pittala Konderama and Karambe villages, where Uga Ulagalla is located, spans 3.4km and has transformed everyday life for the 70 families in these village communities since being installed in January 2023.

Connecting Guests with Conservation

Guests staying at Uga Ulagalla can gain a deeper understanding of Sri Lanka’s elephants through visits to the resort’s Elephant Research Centre, where Katharina and her team share insights into Sri Lanka’s elephant conservation efforts.  

Priyanjith Weerasooria, Owner and Managing Director of Uga Resorts, said:

“At Uga Resorts, we believe tourism has a responsibility to create a positive and lasting impact on the destinations where we operate. Supporting initiatives like this community elephant fence allows us to protect local livelihoods while safeguarding one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic species. It’s a powerful example of how conservation, communities and tourism can work together to create meaningful change.”

Beyond its conservation initiatives, Uga Ulagalla offers guests the opportunity to explore Sri Lanka’s famous Cultural Triangle. The award-winning 25-villa resort sits within a 58-acre estate surrounded by woodland rich in wildlife, providing an ideal base for exploring nearby Minneriya and Wilpattu National Parks, Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the ancient city of Anuradhapura. Back at the resort, guests can enjoy nature walks, horse riding, kayaking, archery, organic farming experiences and a dedicated Junior Ranger programme, with the opportunity to visit the resort’s Elephant Research Centre during their stay.

Nightly rates at Uga Ulagalla start from US $481 (£376*) based on two adults sharing an Ulagalla Pool Villa on a bed and breakfast basis. For further information please visit https://www.ugaresorts.com/ulagalla/