Galgamuwa villagers shoot Kavantissa, Sri Lanka's 5,500 kg bull elephant
The country's tallest wild male died on October 16 from a gunshot wound, adding to a record 370 annual elephant deaths.
By Megan Greco ·
Villagers near Galgamuwa shot the leg of Kavantissa, the tallest living male elephant in Sri Lanka, on October 16. The animal, believed to be approximately 45 years old, died from the wound despite veterinary intervention. He stood roughly 3.3 meters high and weighed around 5,500 kilograms.
Sri Lanka records more elephant deaths annually than any other nation. Official figures indicate that since 2019, an average of 370 elephants and 125 people have died each year in violent encounters. These clashes typically occur when elephants raid crops and invade farmland. The island hosts about 10% of the world's Asian elephants, the highest density of the species globally.
Forest cover has declined as the rural population grew from 8.25 million in 1960 to 17.8 million in 2020. The Department of Wildlife Conservation estimated the wild elephant population at 7,451 in 2024, with about 70% living outside protected areas. Each elephant requires roughly 150 kilograms of green matter daily, driving them toward agricultural fields.
Ravi Corea, president of the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society, attributed the conflict to habitat loss, agricultural expansion, and fragmented corridors. He noted that crop losses threaten a rural family's primary income, distinguishing the situation from wildlife conflicts in wealthier nations. Corea stated that the national action plan drafted in 2020 requires backing from a comprehensive conservation strategy with enforceable habitat protection.
Community programs have shown results in mitigating conflict. Project Orange Elephant in the Wasgamuwa region encourages farmers to plant citrus trees, which elephants avoid. This reduces crop raiding while providing additional income. Electric fencing also protects settlements and farmland. The "EleFriendly" bus service in the same area transports schoolchildren through elephant corridors, reducing dangerous encounters along its route by more than 90%.
Kamal Shashendra, an environmental ethics researcher based in Sri Lanka, argued that solutions must protect human lives, livelihoods, and elephant populations simultaneously. He specified that this requires scientifically informed land-use planning, protected corridors, community-based fencing, effective early-warning systems, and fair compensation for affected families.
Source: Deutsche Welle
