News
Photo focus: Our country is losing out
View(s):
Story and pix by Gamini Obeysekera, Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa, Karunaratne Gamage
Human-elephant conflicts are on the rise, endangering both man and beast. The prevailing drought has added to the problem.
At the Kaudulla National Park for example, many of the ponds which served the pachyderms have dried up. Resultantly only small numbers of elephants if any, are sighted. This has prompted many jeeps transporting tourists to attempt getting within metres of the herds whenever they make an appearance.
This in turn has led to elephants attacking vehicles at both Dambulla and Habarana. Some of the vehicles have been severely damaged.
People living in villages bordering jungles report elephants have become adept at breaking through the electric fences put up to keep them away from human settlements.
Many people in Polonnaruwa district have reported elephants literally at their doorstep.
Of additional concern is the fate of the few tuskers left in the wild. Of major concern is the fate of the majestic eleven foot crossed tusked elephant who used to roam the Minneriya Wildlife Park. The beast has not been sighted for several months and has prompted authorities to appoint a committee to probe into the disappearance of the animal. Sadly, the  Committee is yet to come out with its report.
This majestic eleven-foot crossed tusk elephant has not been sighted in months
This man got the shock of his life when an elephant literally called at his door step
Tour organisers sometimes attempt to get too near to the herd