News
Losers in battle for habitat
View(s):Paddy farmers, especially those living in areas in proximity to jungles inhabited by wild elephants are once again confronted by the influx of these giants in search of food. Villagers are often confronted by elephants drawn by the smell of freshly cut paddy, and their homes ravaged by elephants in search of food.
Story and pix by Ishanka Sunimal , Hiran Priyankara and Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi
The raids occur most often at night and pose a serious threat not only to the farmer’s livelihood but to their lives as well.
To protect their crops farmers are forced to guard their fields at night. Unexpected encounters between man and elephant oft-times end in tragedy.
Faced with ever increasing habitat loss, wild elephants are forced into entering human habitation in search of food, with disastrous consequences for both parties.
Though the problem has persisted for years, sadly, no permanent solution has as yet been found with disastrous consequences to both man and beast.
On friday night J.H.M. Wimalasena (54), from Kotawewa was killed by a wild elephant when he went to bring his cattle home.
This motor cyclist was lucky to escape with his life
J.H.M. Wimalasena (54), from Kotawewa died when he unexpectedly ran into a herd of elephants
Villagers gather around the corpse
J.H.M. Wimalasena was killed when he went to bring his cattle home.
An elephant ambles through a paddy field
Villagers now travel behind larger vehicles to avoid confrontation with elephants crossing roads