The Department of Wildlife Conservation says 128 elephant deaths have been recorded across Sri Lanka between January 1 and May 15 this year.
According to official data, causes include 20 deaths from shootings, 15 from electrocution, 10 from consuming hakka patas (explosive bait), and 5 from falling into cultivation wells.
Additional fatalities were reported due to poisoning, train collisions, and drowning.
The highest number of elephant deaths has been reported from the Eastern region, with further cases recorded in the Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura wildlife zones.
The Department also confirmed that human casualties remain significant.
So far this year, 35 human deaths have been reported due to elephant attacks, officials said. (Newswire)