Sri Lanka has recorded 44 wild elephant deaths in the first seven weeks of the year, according to data released Tuesday (24) by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. The figures, covering the period from Jan. 1 to Feb. 20, underscore the persistent and deadly friction between the island nation’s human population and its dwindling elephant herds.
Wildlife officials reported that the causes of death were varied, ranging from intentional human acts to environmental accidents. Many of the elephants died due to gunshot wounds, the ingestion of poison, or contact with illegal electric fences set up by farmers to protect crops. Other fatalities were attributed to more accidental circumstances, including collisions with moving trains and drownings.
The conflict has proven equally devastating for the local population. During the same 51-day window, the Department of Wildlife Conservation confirmed that 10 people were killed in elephant attacks. (NewsWire)
2026-02-24