The Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) has defended its handling of the injured Sri Lankan tusker ‘Bhathiya’, following widespread public criticism over the animal’s care.
Officials said every possible measure was taken to treat the elephant, which died on June 15 after nearly a month of veterinary efforts. DWC Director General Ranjan Marasinghe denied allegations that treatment was delayed.
According to Tharaka Prasad, Director of Wildlife Health, the tusker began receiving treatment on May 18 after an initial assessment by veterinarian Dr. Isuru.
The elephant was located in Polpithigama, suffering from severe swelling in the right foreleg. On May 26, a support team was deployed, and the animal was tranquilized and examined while standing, Prasad said.
Veterinarians found two healed wounds and significant swelling near the elbow, measuring approximately six feet in circumference and two feet in width.
“Because of the depth, imaging tools such as X-rays were ineffective. Manual measurements and blood samples were taken, and thermal imaging confirmed an infection. Treatment with antibiotics was continued, and the swelling was closely monitored,” he said.
“Despite no signs of systemic infection, the elephant collapsed three times during treatment: first, following a fight with another elephant; second, due to a left ear infection likely caused by a wound; and third, after showing signs of impaired trunk function that affected its ability to eat,” Prasad explained.
DWC had at this point sought the help of the Peradeniya University’s Veterinary Faculty to identify the cause of Bhathiya’s trunk impairment.
“On June 10, the DWC sent a letter to the University of Peradeniya’s Veterinary Faculty for assistance. A response was received two days later, and treatment continued. However, given the elephant’s weakened state, officials decided against further tranquilizations due to the risks involved. We would have been unable to revive the elephant if it was tranquilized at that point,” he said.
Prasad said he visited the site on July 4, along with representatives from the Peradeniya veterinary team. Two days later, another veterinarian joined, and consultations were held with foreign experts from Germany and Thailand through an online meeting, for which Prasad said, he was not available.
Approval was expedited through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant regulatory bodies, for the foreign veterinarians to arrive in Sri Lanka to treat the animal, but Bhathiya died before they could arrive, Prasad said.
Prasad said that the postmortem revealed osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis is inflammation or swelling that occurs in the bone. It can result from an infection somewhere else in the body that has spread to the bone, or it can start in the bone — often as a result of an injury.
According to the Wildlife Department, Bhathiya had sustained multiple gunshot injuries over time.
However, the wounds that had been observed were determined to be gunshot injuries sustained roughly two months prior, with two minor scars noted during the May 26 examination. The injuries were believed to have been caused by a trap gun, he said.
Prasad explained that while the elephant initially showed no visible wounds, it had been observed limping.
The right foreleg injury likely caused nerve damage, forcing Bhathiya to shift its weight onto the left foreleg—leading to further complications. Additional gunshot wounds, including one on the trunk, were also identified.
The DWC also provided broader context on the challenges faced in protecting elephants. Currently, 13 elephants with gunshot injuries are under observation across the country, including two tuskers, Marasinghe said.
7 elephants in Anuradhapura, 3 elephants in Polonnaruwa, 1 elephant in Vavuniya and 2 elephants in the South of Sri Lanka, are being treated for gunshot injuries.
Over 90% of elephant deaths reported were linked to firearms, while an increase has been reported in deaths caused by electrocution or traps, the officials said.
Marasinghe noted that most firearms used are homemade and difficult to regulate. Polonnaruwa recorded the highest number of elephant deaths from gunshots in 2023, followed by the Eastern, Southern, and Wayamba provinces, he said. (Newswire)