Report on elephant survey after two weeks

by Dhaneshi YATAWARA

Ending the three-day elephant survey, the Department of Wildlife Conservation is getting ready to prepare the final statistical analysis of the survey. According to Director General, Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) H.D. Ratnayake, it will take around two weeks to prepare the final analysis.

The National Elephant Survey was conducted through more than 1,500 observation points across the country. Officers were stationed at these spots by August 11 and the count began on August 12. Wildlife and Agrarian Services Minister S.M. Chandrasena told the media last week that the data collected by the survey will be utilised to form an efficient and scientific plan for elephant conservation while bringing a sustainable solution to the human-elephant conflict.

According to Minister Chandrasena, the survey will give a good understanding of Sri Lanka's elephants as one unit. Knowing the number of elephants living outside protected areas will be one of the supportive factors to bring a sustainable solution to the human-elephant conflict, the Minister said.