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Unauthorised elephant drive in Handapanagala

by Florence Wickramage

An unauthorised elephant drive is taking place in the Handapanagala area. Controlled by a commercial enterprise the drive is allegedly being done with the connivance of certain Wildlife officials of the Southern Wildlife region, Environmental sources told the Daily News yesterday.

The 186 elephants include seven pregnant females, one of whom is said to have given birth while being driven away. The baby elephants in the herd run the risk of getting stranded during this exercise.

The elephants are being driven towards the Yala Sanctuary.

Residents have informed authorities that there were two babies in the herd which have not been seen after the drive commenced. This unlawful activity is being conducted yearly by this commercial enterprise, environmentalists said.

Experts in the field said Handapanagala is located on the migratory route of elephants and once the mating season is over they find their way back to the original locations such as Kaltota, Lahugala and Lunugamvehera. The first elephant drive costing Rs 78 million in 1996 failed as the animals had to undergo hardships in search of food and water. The herd returned to Handapanagala.

Experts say there could be a reduction in the elephants returning to Handapanagala next year during the season, due to their traumatic experiences during this unlawful ruthless drive. The recovery rate is slow and extends to two to three years after which the number returns to normality and the same herd would come back to Handapanagala at the end of the recovery period.

Director, Wildlife Conservation Department Dayananda Kariyawasam told the Daily News that he had instruced to stop the drive and has called for a report into the incident.

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