Sri Lanka has recorded a concerning number of 239 elephant fatalities over the past eight months, according to information from Wildlife Department sources.
These deaths have various causes, including 40 from gunshots, 31 from electrocution, 28 from ‘hakka patas’ (explosive devices hidden in food), 4 from poisoning, 5 from train accidents, 6 from road incidents, 11 by drowning, and 7 from other mishaps. Additionally, the sources noted that the majority of the deceased elephants are young.
The human-elephant conflict has also taken a toll, claiming 57 human lives this year.
In 2023, Wildlife Department data indicated 488 elephant deaths due to multiple factors, including human-elephant conflicts, while 184 human fatalities were directly linked to such conflicts. The wild elephant population, estimated at 5,878 in a 2011 survey, is now believed to range between 6,000 and 7,000, facing threats from the current predicament.
A recent elephant population survey conducted by the Wildlife Department is pending the release of its final results.
