Kodanad Elephant Training Center
Kodanad Elephant Training Center:
Sparsely perched along the southern banks of the Periyar River, roughly 42 kilometers northeast of mainland Kochi, Kodanad holds an iconic place in the history of wildlife management in South India. Established originally in 1895 under the Travancore Government, Kodanad was historically one of the premier and largest elephant capturing and training centers in Kerala. Elephants captured from the deep, rugged Malayattoor reserve forests were brought here to be taming-trained inside massive wooden cages known as Aanakoodu (Elephant Kraals) for timber work.
Following the strict implementation of the Government of India’s wildlife protection and anti-poaching laws in the 1970s, the focus shifted from commercial training to compassionate rescue and rehabilitation. When the original 2.5-acre riverside camp grew too small to comfortably support its growing family of rescued pachyderms, the Forest Department systematically relocated the entire ecosystem two kilometers downriver to Abhayaranyam Eco-Tourism Project in Kaprikkad village. Today, while the historic wooden kraals at Kodanad stand proudly as a protected heritage monument, the thriving 123-hectare fenced mini-zoo and rescue forest of Abhayaranyam serves as the active, modern home where orphaned, injured, or herd-separated gentle giants are safely nurtured.
Top Things to See & Do Inside:
Witness the Morning Riverside Elephant Bathing Ritual: The absolute visual highlight of a visit requires arriving early in the morning (between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM). Visitors can stand on the scenic banks of the Periyar River to watch the mahouts gently lead the resident elephants—including famous jumbos like Sunitha, Aasha, and the fierce Hariprasad—into the cool flowing waters. Watching the elephants joyfully lay on their sides while their trainers use coconut husks to rigorously scrub their thick, creasy grey skin is an unforgettable spectacle.
Observe the Preparing and Feeding of Royal Elephant Food: After their refreshing morning bath, the elephants are guided to the feeding platforms. Here, visitors can watch mahouts mix massive, specialized nutritional balls consisting of cooked ragi, sugarcane, jaggery, and bananas. Watching the juveniles and adult elephants expertly wrap their trunks around these sweet treatments offers an intimate, highly educational look at captive wildlife nutrition.
Explore the Sprawling Sambar and Spotted Deer Parks: Beyond the elephant enclosures, the expansive, beautifully forested acres of Abhayaranyam feature dedicated, open-air enclosures for rescued herbivores. The park safely shelters more than 300 spotted deer and majestic Sambar deer. Walking along the well-paved, shaded pedestrian tracks allows families to watch herds of fawns darting between the trees or resting beneath the dense canopy foliage.
Embark on Nature Trails to Mahogany Thottam and Panamkuzhi: For outdoor adventure seekers, the eco-tourism complex serves as a launching pad for serene trail treks. Visitors can take guided nature walks through the adjacent Mahogany Thottam (a sprawling forest of towering mahogany trees) or book a traditional coracle boat ride on the Periyar River at the nearby Panamkuzhi eco-tourism node, drifting quietly past riverside treehouses and bamboo huts.
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