|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 25 July 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
White elephant in Yala
The Department of Wildlife Conservation confirmed the finding by researchers from the Centre for Conservation and Research, of the white elephant. This female elephant, believed to be around 11 years of age, was spotted last week, with distinct lack of pigmentation, sporting a very clear colour difference from other elephants. She lives in a herd of females and young animals numbering around 17 at the moment. "This is a rare and excellent opportunity for research. Albinism is rare in the wild. In elephants, it is extremely so and we expect this to raise a lot of national and international interest for more studies on this phenomenon", said Director General, Wildlife Conservation Department, Dayananda Kariyawasam. The elephant was observed and identified by H. K. Janaka, a field researcher for the Centre for Conservation and Research, who is keeping track of the herd's movements in the wilderness. "The female is now at reproductive age. If she is not pregnant already, she may well mate within a few years. The home range of this herd lies partly outside the park boundaries. Studying their movements and behaviour can provide insights useful for the conservation and management of elephants", said Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando, Chairman of the Centre for Conservation and Research, whose group has been conducting research on elephant ecology and behaviour for the past twelve years. "We are hoping to sample some dung from this animal in order to ascertain the exact mutation. We hope to conduct further research together with the Centre for Conservation and Research on this elephant and the possible implications for conservation", Kariyawasam said. Fernando, coincidentally, had observed this female as a new-born baby in 1993 at Heenwewa, while on a previous research mission. Another sighting was made in 1996 when a group of visitors to the park had photographed the elephant in water with the rest of its herd. Fernando believes that this herd is not used to people and when in the park, ventures out to the water-holes at night, hence the low number of sightings despite Yala Block 1 being the most visited protected area. Director of the National Zoological Gardens, and Pinnawela elephant orphanage, H. A. N. T. Perera, said that the elephant should be left in her natural habitat and that no attempt should be made to tranquillize or capture her, since any such attempt could endanger its life, and it would have greater significance and value as a free living individual. Albinism occurs when the body fails to produce melanin, which gives colour to skin, hair and eyes. This is caused by a very rare genetic mutation. Fernando said that the presence of this mutation in Yala gives rise to the possibility that more instances of albinism may be observed. Although rare, white elephants must have occurred in the past too, as white elephants have featured heavily in eastern mythology, especially Hinduism. In Buddhist lore, it is mentioned that Queen Mahamaya dreamt of a white baby elephant at the conception of Lord Buddha. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
A white elephant has been discovered in Yala. This is probably the
world's only record of a 'white' elephant in the wilderness.
