Elephant conservationist who claim that the census on elephant population is to hand pick the best wild elephants to donate temples and interested individuals has decided to boycott the survey.
Over 20 wildlife groups which agreed to deploy their members to assist the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC) to count the elephants had withdrawn giving their support.
This was triggered with the announcement of Minister of Wildlife S.M.Chandrasena that over 300 elephants would be captured from the wild to fulfill the shortage of elephants in religious and cultural event.
“ We are against capturing of wild elephants to tame them. The best solution is to encourage elephant owners to breed elephants”, Shantha Jayaweera, the Co-ordinator of the Elephant Conservation Forum said.