Elephants on the verge of extinction

by S.M. Wijayaratne, Kururnegala Cor.

"The timely action has to be taken to conserve the population of wild elephants that has faced extinction at present.

The annual report of the Department of Wildlife Conservation-2012 has confirmed that 1,184 wild elephants have died during past five years.

These elephants have died of being shot, electrocuted, falling into deep pits, knocked down by trains and natural causes.

"We have a great responsibility to conserve this heritage of Sri Lankans. There is a severe shortage of tuskers to be used at annual peraheras at Historic Buddhist Raja Maha Viharayas and at the Temple of the Tooth, Kandy.

However, the government is now exploring all possible measures to protect the national heritage of wild jumbos and tuskers.