News

Human-elephant conflict continues to take heavy toll; 219 jumbos and 89 people so far this year

Published

5 years ago

2021/08/12

By Ifham Nizam

The Department of Wildlife Conservation has recorded 219 jumbo deaths up to August 11 this year mainly from human-elephant conflict. During the same period, 89 people were killed in elephant attacks.

A Senior Department official told The Island that 160 elephant deaths and 56 human deaths had been recorded during the same period in 2020.

Biodiversity Conservation and Research Circle of Sri Lanka Convener Supun Lahiru Prakash, who is also one of the authorities on Sri Lankan elephants, told The Island that the number of deaths due to human-elephant conflicts was on the rise and alarming.

In 2020, 327 elephant deaths had been reported as against 113 human fatalities due to elephant attacks, he said.

The environmental scientist stressed that the human-elephant conflict had escalated recently and it was time the government implemented recommendations made by a team of experts, headed by eminent elephant researcher Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando.

“From 2016 to 2020, we have lost at least 1,578 elephants and the majority of them have died due to anthropogenic reasons. When compared with the 1992 – 2001 period, the present annual death rate of elephants shows about a 90 percent rise. This is a 30% increase when compared with the 2005–2010 period. It is the highest annual death rate of elephants in the world.”

A sharp decrease in the elephant home ranges and repeating the failed mitigation measures were among the factors that have led to an increase in the human-elephant conflict in the county, according to experts, Prakash said.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed a multi-stakeholder committee chaired by eminent elephant researcher Dr Prithiviraj Fernando to prepare the “National Action Plan for the Mitigation of Human-Elephant Conflict”, which was prepared and handed over to the government last December.

However, the government was yet to implement the proposal, Prakash said.

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Singapore Zoo’s first Sri Lankan leopard cubs make their public debut

Published

6 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

The Sri Lankan leopard cubs can be found at the Wild Africa exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday (Straits Times)

Three Sri Lankan leopard cubs that were born at the Singapore Zoo on Jan 1 have now made their public debut at the facility.

The two males and one female, born to mother Yala and father Asanka, are the first of their species yo be born at the Singapore Zoo. The last successful birth in Singapore was recorded at the Night Safari three decades ago.

The triplets, which are the pair’s first litter, are among around 80 Sri Lankan leopards in zoos worldwide.

The species is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with fewer than 800 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.

Visitors can now see the triplets at the Wild Africa exhibit, said the Mandai Wildlife Group in a statement on April 16.

The cubs can be found in the exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

*Yala with her cubs in their nest box, a month after their birth on Jan 1. (Straits Times)*

A leopard cub investigating a piece of meat suspended from a tree – one of the several enrichment items in the Wild Africa exhibit designed to keep the cats mentally and physically stimulated. (Straits Times)

Mandai Wildlife Group curator Anand Kumar said it took nearly three years and close collaboration across continents to bring together a compatible pair of Sri Lankan leopards.

(Straits Times)

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-zoos-first-sri-lankan-leopard-cubs-make-their-public-debut?ref=top-stories

Latest News

Sri Lanka Navy seize multi day fishing craft suspected of smuggling narcotics

Published

7 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a local multi- day fishing trawler, it’s four man crew together with a consignment suspected to be narcotics off the Southern Coast of the island.

The vessel is presently being escorted to the Dikowita fisheries harbour for further investigations and legal proceedings.

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

1 day ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491