Conservationists plead for coexistence as shrinking forests drive conflict, with elephant deaths doubling in a decade
A rickshaw driver steers around a wild bull elephant in Habarana, a popular tourist town. Last year 176 people died in elephant encounters and 470 of the animals were killed.A rickshaw driver steers around a wild bull elephant in Habarana, a popular tourist town. Last year 176 people died in elephant encounters and 470 of the animals were killed.
The elephant lunged towards Wanninayake’s elderly mother, who tried to scramble out of the way but was knocked over. “It ran off, trampling her in the process,” says Wanninayake, who ran screaming to get help. When she returned with her brothers, it was too late – their mother was already dead and the elephant was gone.
As more elephant habitats are cleared for cultivation, the animals are forced to trek through human settlements to access food and water. Often, they are attracted to the crops and grain stored in the homesteads they encounter.Elephants raiding gardens and crops is becoming increasingly common across Sri Lanka, as thousands of hectares of forest are illegally cleared each year.Late one night in Nakolagane, about two miles from Eriyawa, Kayakodi Thegis heard a disturbance in his back garden.
We must learn to live together peacefully. If things continue as they are, up to 70% of Sri Lanka’s elephants will be lost “Such activities are inhumane and can never be the solution,” says Fernando. “Even economically, it makes no sense: elephants are the star attraction of our tourism industry, bringing in much needed foreign exchange. We need them more than they need us.”collaborated with Fernando to open the country’s first elephant research centre. Located in Anuradhapura, in northern Sri Lanka, experts have been working with the community to help conserve the local elephant population.