The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands, and Irrigation has released the results of Sri Lanka’s first countrywide wildlife census of common but often overlooked animals.

According to a report released by the ministry, Sri Lanka is currently home to some 5.17 million Toque Monkeys (rilava), 1.74 million Grey Langurs (wandura), 2.66 million palm squirrels (dandu lēna), and more than 4.24 million peacocks (monaru).

These findings, gathered during the 2024 countrywide census, reflect a detailed and collaborative effort spanning multiple government and research institutions.

“This is the most comprehensive enumeration of these species ever undertaken in the country,” said A.L. Sandika, Director

and CEO of the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute (HARTI).

“The numbers are a wake-up call—not just about their population densities, but about the mounting pressure these animals are placing on agriculture and rural livelihoods.”

The Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), though not the lead agency in the census, welcomed the data, calling it a “critical baseline for future wildlife management.”

The initiative was sparked not only by conservation priorities but also by growing farmer grievances. Monkeys, and peacocks are among the most frequently cited species in crop-raiding incidents, especially in districts like Moneragala, Ampara, and Anuradhapura.

“These animals are not just statistics. They are part of a deeper, escalating conflict between people and nature,” said a spokesperson for the DWC. “This data will help shape humane and sustainable management strategies, rather than relying on ad-hoc or harmful methods of population control.”

Unlike previous partial studies, this census employed a combination of direct observation, drone surveys, GPS-tagging, and farmer-reported data, covering both forested areas and farmlands. Officials confirmed that over 5,000 personnel were deployed across 25 districts during the year-long data-gathering phase.

Experts say the census helps break the long-held assumption that only large mammals like elephants or leopards deserve close population monitoring.

But not everyone is pleased. Some environmentalists warn that such population estimates may be misused to justify mass culling.

The report has already sparked renewed public discourse. On social media, citizens are debating whether peacocks—once beloved for their beauty—have now become pests. Others are urging greater investment in non-lethal mitigation techniques, such as crop insurance schemes, electric fencing, and the reforestation of buffer zones.

Some scientists, meanwhile, are calling for the next phase: integrating this data into a national biodiversity dashboard.The Ministry has proposed that such a census be conducted every five years, with expanded categories including reptiles, amphibians, and even invasive species.

By Ifham Nizam ✍️