Possibility of rise in SL’s jumbo population
Priyanka Kurugala
The first ever islandwide census for elephants revealed that there is
a strong possibility that the elephant population in Sri Lanka might
have increased although a correct assessment in this regard could be
made after a close study is done, Wildlife Director General H D
Ratnayake said.
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Wildlife head escapes jumbo
attack |
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Priyanka Kurugala
Wildlife Director General H D
Ratnayake and four officials miraculously escaped a wild
elephant attack in Minneriya on Friday.
The director and his officials were travelling in the area to
monitor the elephant census, when the incident occurred. The
vehicle in which they were travelling was suddenly surrounded by
four wild elephants at a lonely stretch close to the jungles in
Minneriya.However, they were able to drive past elephants into
the jungles after sometime and thus avoid an attack.
The director general said that such incidents are common in the
area. Ratnayake said he has faced a number of dangerous
incidents such as this.
Meanwhile, two officers who participated in the elephant census,
were assaulted by villagers in Ampara. Villagers had thought
that these officers were planning something sinister in their
area and was rescued following the mediation of Wildlife
Department officials, he said. |
This will help the authorities to draw up a comprehensive plan to
eradicate the human-elephant conflict to protect elephants in the
country, he said.
“According to a previous survey, 5,350 elephants were reported
countrywide. In 1993, it was said that the country’s elephant population
was only around 2,500. If this has increased now, it is a good trend for
the country’s elephants,” he said.
“Nevertheless we can say that the country has a healthy elephant
population with a strong genetic generation. This is a very important
information we collected through the census for elephants,” Ratnayake
said.
“The elephant census concluded successfully. Around 1,500 points were
used to collect details about elephants. Two officers were kept at one
point. Many individuals and civil organizations supported us with the
census. Therefore, the department was able to keep four officers at some
spots,” he said.
”The full cost for the survey was Rs 23 million. The full amount was
not used due to the support of other organizations. The department was
able to complete it successfully within two days,” he said.
”The Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority provided vehicles to make the
exercise a success. The Civil Security Force, Forest Department, the
Police, the Army and number of organizations supported us in this
endeavour,” Ratnayake added. |
