News
Jumbo deaths escalate as human-elephant orbits collide
View(s):By Kasun Warakapitiya
A string of incidents involving train collisions, electrocution and shooting incidents have led to an increase of elephant deaths.
The most recent elephant death was reported on Friday at Kaduruwela – Gallela, Suduminum Gama area after the Meenagaya train collided with an elephant.
The elephant killed was a 30-year-old bull elephant which was roaming near the track. The residents in the area complained that despite their trying to inform the Wildlife Department to chase away the elephant from the rail track they failed to act and save the animal’s life.
The Department of Wildlife said that they would investigate the incident and take relevant actions against those responsible.
Elephant dies following a train collision in Gallela. Pic by Nimal Jayaratne
In a separate incident an elephant was killed due to electrocution at Magodayaya area in the Buttala divisional secretariat area.
The elephant had died after it made contact with illegally set up electric wire which was used to fence cultivated crops. The deceased elephant was estimated to be an approximately 10-year-old male elephant which was around 6.5 feet tall. A 60-year-old resident of the area was arrested by wildlife officers for illegally tapping electricity.
Meanwhile the elephant at Kandalama who was suffering from gunshot wounds in its right leg was seen lingering in the tank area. Despite the DWC providing around the clock medication to the ailing elephant, elephants too have started to spend more time laying in water.
Dr. Tharaka Prasad said that they had subjected the elephant to a scan, which had revealed several bullets embedded in its leg.
“The elephant was shot by a trap gun, and this damaged the animals’ bones, tissues and nerves. We also took a blood sample, which shows the animal has less red blood cells and reduction of haemoglobin”, he said.
Meanwhile Environmental Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi as well as Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody held a meeting this week calling the officials to strictly implement a law against shooting of elephants as well as against persons who illegally tap wires and kill elephants by electrocution.
Dr. Patabendi during the meeting instructed the Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation Ranjan Marasinghe to take necessary actions required to strictly enforce actions against persons who are responsible for shooting elephants.
The minister also ordered to update the wildlife laws against killing of wild animals and strengthen the mechanism to punish the culprits, in order to take strict actions against persons who illegally set up electric fencing around private properties.
However, villagers in areas prone to the human-elephant conflict said that despite high level meetings being held, directions given seldom get implemented. They called on the authorities to find solutions to reduce elephant deaths according to scientific methods.
Additional reporting by Sumanasiri Gunathilake.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!