Sri Lanka has recorded the deaths of 128 wild elephants so far this year, highlighting the continuing toll of human-elephant conflict and other hazards facing the country’s wildlife.
According to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the deaths were reported between January 1 and May 15 across several wildlife regions.
Among the incidents, 20 elephants were killed in shootings, while 15 died from electrocution. Another 10 elephants lost their lives after consuming “hakka patas” explosives, and five died after falling into agricultural wells.
The Department said additional elephant deaths were caused by poisoning, train collisions, drowning and other accidents.
The highest number of deaths was reported from the Eastern Region, with further incidents also recorded in the Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura wildlife zones.
Meanwhile, the Department also revealed that 35 human deaths caused by elephant attacks were reported during the same period, underscoring the ongoing dangers faced by both people and wildlife in areas affected by human-elephant encounters.
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