Six more elephants to be released

by Dhaneshi YATAWARA

Wildlife authorities are ready to release six more elephant calves to the wild following the release of two calves to the Maduru Oya National Park last week.

These calves and juveniles are sheltered and rehabilitated in the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawa. The Department of Wildlife Conservation will be releasing the animals in two batches.

The two calves already released are closely monitored by the wildlife officers using radio collars.

Wasu, one of the calves released to the wild is a five-year-old male, rescued in 2006 from Valachchenai. Wasu was found by residents in an agrarian well. Colombo, the other calf released to the wild is a five-year-old female rescued by Sri Lanka Army personnel in Pankulama, Morawewa in 2006. Sixty four elephants have been released to the wild since 1995.

The Elephant Transit Home shelters 44 calves and juveniles. The daily cost of medicine and food for each animal is Rs. 25,000.