Accidents claim six wild jumbos this year

Three killed in latest accident:

Priyanka Kurugala

Around six wild elephants have died in accidents this year. Wildlife Director General Chandrawansa Pathirage said the second elephant accident for the year, had occurred at the Meeoya Bridge in Ambanpola on Saturday.

Three elephants had died on the spot after they were knocked by a passenger train. The three elephants were crossing the rail track when they were hit by the Anuradhapura-Fort passenger train. A baby elephant was among the group of three elephants, which were all females.

It is believed that one elephant was about 22 months pregnant.

Sri Lanka's wild elephant population has dwindled in the recent years to about 5,000-6,000 elephants, the Wildlife Department said.

Pathirage told the Daily News that the department is working with the Railway Department to reduce accidents resulting in the loss of elephants.