5 humans, 30 jumbos killed in 5 months

The Deputy Director's Office of the Mahaweli Wildlife Region reports that during the last five months, five people and 30 elephants have met tragic ends due to the on-going human-elephant conflict in the Mahaweli area.


Reports reveal that the most number of elephant deaths occurred in the months of April and May with 10 elephants recorded as being killed. The elephant attacks also resulted in three human deaths in May, preceded by a further two in April.


The report indicates an increase in both human and elephant deaths in recent times. According to a senior wildlife officer, the prime reason for the attacks on humans is the insecurity experienced by the larger mammals due to the loss of their normal habitats, consequent to increased human activities in the zone. It seems logical that as their own territory is encroached upon, they traverse towards nearby human occupation. Further injuries to the elephant population are caused by hakka patas, collisions with oncoming trains, and the use of firearms by humans seeking protection from marauding elephants.