Preparations are underway for an island-wide elephant census, said Minister of Wildlife Pavithra Wanniarachchi.
How Many Elephants
According to recent estimates, Sri Lanka has approximately 7,000 to 8,000 elephants. This figure includes both wild and captive elephants. The number of elephants in the wild is estimated to be around 6,000. These wild elephants roam across Sri Lanka’s protected habitats, including wetlands, grasslands, highlands, and shrublands. They travel about 48 km a day and stay close to fresh water. They do not walk long distances unless they run out of food. However, during droughts or other conditions that deplete their food sources, they may be drawn to nearby farms.
Sri Lanka uses electric fences to keep the animals away. The charge is strong enough to stun them without causing serious injury. The country has approximately 5,000 km (3,100 miles) of electric fencing, including around homes in Thalgaswewa, with plans to expand it.
Decline
According to the Worldwide Fund for Nature, Sri Lanka’s elephant population has declined by almost 65% since the turn of the 20th century. Most of Sri Lanka’s elephants live in the wild, primarily in protected areas and national parks such as Udawalawe, Yala, and Minneriya. These elephants are a crucial part of the island’s biodiversity and play an important role in maintaining the ecosystem.
The census will be conducted to determine the number of elephants in the wild and in captivity. It will also help to understand the distribution and movement patterns of elephants and to formulate conservation plans.
Helicopters
Helicopter or aircraft surveys will be used to count elephants in large, open areas such as national parks and wildlife reserves. Teams of researchers and wildlife officers will conduct ground surveys, using transects and camera traps to count elephants and monitor their behavior. Information will be collected on herd sizes, age structures, and any signs of human-elephant conflict. Conducting surveys can be challenging due to the dense forest cover and rugged terrain in some areas.
esacalateing conflict
A decade ago, Sri Lanka lost around 250 elephants a year. However, the numbers have increased sharply in recent years, with deaths now exceeding 400 for the second year in a row. If elephant deaths continue to rise at the current rate, up to 70% of Sri Lanka’s elephants could be gone, according to wildlife conservationist Prithviraj Fernando. Each year, more than 200 deaths are reported due to elephant attacks, and thousands of people have their houses and farms attacked by elephants.
