A wild elephant that managed to enter the Digampathaha garbage dumping site in Dambulla by breaking through an electric fence on the night of January 29, has been safely rescued after falling into a waste pit.

The incident was reported during the final stage of ongoing fence repairs, when a herd of elephants breached the site through a vulnerable section, officials said.

One elephant was found to be trapped in a large garbage disposal pit, during early morning observations today.

In response, teams from the Dambulla Municipal Council, the Fire Department, and wildlife officers quickly coordinated rescue efforts.

With support services and equipment in place, the elephant was safely freed after several hours without injury.

Officials have since reinforced the fence to prevent further intrusions. (Newswire)

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Officials from the Kukulkatuwa Beat Office of Wilpattu National Park have intervened to provide treatment for an injured wild elephant in the Nochchiyagama–Meegasdigiliya area.

According to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the officers had found the elephant following a tip-off on Monday (08).

Dr. Udeshika Madhuvanthi from the Pandulagama Wildlife Veterinary Unit, along with her team, had administered the necessary medical treatment.

Wildlife officers observed that the elephant had sustained a gunshot wound to its leg, likely caused by a locally manufactured firearm.

The Department of Wildlife Conservation has appealed to the public to report individuals who use or produce such illegal firearms, linked to tragic incidents involving elephants.

The public has been urged to inform the Department of Wildlife Conservation by calling the emergency hotline 1992. 

The department further emphasized that curbing this unlawful activity is essential to protecting Sri Lanka’s elephant population. (Newswire)

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A wild elephant has been injured after being hit by the night mail train travelling from Trincomalee to Colombo in the Puwakpitiya area in Habarana last night.

It is reported that the incident occurred near the 128½ milepost between Habarana and Palugaswewa on the railway line.

According to a wildlife officer, the elephant struck by the train is estimated to be around 20 years old.

The elephant’s front right leg was fractured in the collision, and it was found lying near the railway track.

Wildlife officials stated that treatment for the elephant’s injured leg will begin today (04) at the Pandulagama veterinary unit.

Wildlife officers from Ritigala and Kekirawa are conducting investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

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The carcass of a wild elephant has been discovered in a paddy field near the Karametiya Tank, which falls under the Thanamalwila, Hambegamuwa Police Division.

According to reports, Wildlife officers had administered treatment to this elephant on several occasions; however, it had later passed away.

The exact cause of death remains undetermined, and a post-mortem examination is scheduled to be conducted on the carcass.

Officers from the Hambegamuwa Police Station, along with wildlife officials, are conducting further investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

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A woman has died and another person was critically injured following a wild elephant attack in Thirappane, Anuradhapura.

CCTV footage captured the moment two elephants charged at villagers after residents attempted to chase the animals away by firing at them.

The elephants had reportedly strayed from the forest and remained near a reservoir close to Mahawewa, on July 25. 

When a group of residents attempted to drive them back into the wild, one of the elephants charged, fatally injuring a 24-year-old woman and seriously wounding another individual who is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.

A spokesperson for the Department of Wildlife Conservation said the incident occurred without the assistance of wildlife officers. 

CCTV footage shows an individual, not affiliated with the department, opening fire at one of the elephants during the attempt to chase them away.

Legal action will be taken against the person involved in the shooting, authorities said. (Newswire)

Viewer discretion advised: A woman has succumbed to injuries after a wild elephant attack reported in Thirappane, Anuradhapura. The elephants charged at the villagers, following attempts to shoot at the animals and chase them back into the wild. Another individual has been… pic.twitter.com/T1jCszWE6H

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) August 1, 2025

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A wild elephant has lost a tusk in an unexpected tragic accident reported on the Habarana – Maradankadawala Road early this morning.

Video footage shows two elephants running across the road, during which one elephant collides with a goods transporting lorry, but manages to escape.

Following the incident, it was found that the elephant had lost a tusk, while the lorry had been partially damaged in the accident.

The incident is reported to have taken place in the Galapitagala area on the Habarana – Maradankadawala Road. 

A search operation is underway to find the injured elephant. (Newswire)

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Foreign tourists were left in shock after a wild elephant had blocked their vehicle and rummaged for food. 

It is reported that the incident had taken place along the Buttala – Kataragama Road.

Video footage shows the elephant forcibly putting its snout through an open window in search of food. (Newswire)

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A wild elephant was reported dead after allegedly being shot by Police Officers on patrol in the Damanayaya area in Bakamuna along the Bakamuna – Dambulla main road last night, it was reported. 

According to media reports, wildlife officials from the Bakamuna area said the elephant had died due to injuries sustained in the shooting. They further said the elephant is around 38 years old and was identified as ‘Raja’.

It is reported that the elephant which was seen in the vicinity of a house in search of food had been chased away using elephant jaw bombs, after which the animal had moved to the Bakamuna- Dambulla main road.

Three Police officers who were engaged in patrolling duties in a three-wheeler at night had opened fire at the elephant after it had allegedly attempted to attack the vehicle. The elephant which reportedly had sustained injuries near its ear had died on the spot. 

A tense situation had also occurred between the Police and the area residents over the incident last night, with residents claiming that the elephant had not been a major threat to the area. (Newswire)

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Video footage has emerged on social media of a wild elephant attempting to eat the mobile phone of a tourist in Sri Lanka. 

As per the video on social media, a foreign tourist on a safari jeep is seen dropping her phone while attempting to take a video of the elephant.

The elephant is then seen attempting to eat the mobile phone but throws it on the ground immediately thereafter, and starts walking away. 

The whereabouts of the incident are unclear, but surroundings suggest it likely occurred in one of the National Parks of Sri Lanka. (NewsWire)

Sri Lankan wild elephant tries to eat foreign tourist’s dropped phone

Viralhog pic.twitter.com/OiBGqLSB6c

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) February 26, 2024

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A wild elephant encounter has been reported in Sri Lanka where the animal had ransacked a vehicle in search of food.

Video footage shared on social media shows the elephant suddenly emerging from the side of the road and searching for food through the driver’s side window. 

No injuries or casualties were reported in the wild elephant encounter, while the vehicle, a luxury van, is said to have sustained minor damages.

Reports suggest that the incident may have taken place on the Sithulpawwa- Kataragama Road bordering the Yala National Park.

Wildlife authorities have repeatedly urged the public not to feed elephants on roads, as they could suddenly attack vehicles in search of food, similar to the incident reported above. (NewsWire)

Wild elephant encounter in Sri Lanka! Watch as this hungry elephant makes a bold move on a vehicle in search of a snack.

@r_evarts pic.twitter.com/Oarsw8F0Ji

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) December 12, 2023

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An individual has been arrested over the deaths of two wild elephants in the Buruthagolla area in Hambegamuwa yesterday (Oct 30). 

The Police stated that the suspect was employed as a security guard ensuring the safety of a plot of farmland in the area.

The man is reported to have illegally put up an electric fence around the property to ward off wild elephants. 

Two elephants that had ventured into the farmland died by electrocution after coming into contact with the fence. The deceased elephants are assumed to be 25 and 15 years of age. 

Officials from the Kalthota Wildlife Department conducted investigations into the incident and apprehended the man who had illegally set up the electric fence.

The Kalthota Wildlife Department is conducting further investigations. (NewsWire / File pic)

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Three wild elephants are reported dead and one injured after colliding with a night mail train in the Galgamuwa Police area last night. 

According to reports, the accident had occurred 1 km away from the Galgamuwa Railway station.

The elephants had been hit by a train plying from Colombo to Kankesanthurai last night. 

The train had been delayed for an hour due to damage caused to the train as a result of the accident. (NewsWire / Pics- Accident1st)

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Video footage has been shared on social media of a wild elephant rummaging through the window of the kitchen of a house in search of food.

The area in which the incident occurred is unclear and no persons were injured in the incident as per the video. (NewsWire)

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