Elephant Numbers Grow in Sri Lanka

• Tweet

• Tweet

The first national survey of Sri Lanka’s wild elephants revealed that the elephant population is at 5,879, previously estimated at 5,350. Wildlife Minister S.M. Chandrasena told a press conference that out of these this number, 1,107 were accounted as calves and 122 tuskers.

Wild Elephants in Sri Lanka

The national survey was conducted by using a method known as the “water hole count”. There were approximately 4,000 wildlife workers, villagers and farmers who were deployed for three days at more than 1,500 locations across Sri Lanka to count the elephants as they came to water holes for a drink.

In the early 1900s, there were an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 elephants that roamed Sri Lanka, but since then, poaching and the loss of habitat due to deforestation for agriculture have taken their toll. Locals are often faced with the dangers of wild elephants entering villages and charging through houses in search of food and destroying crops on farms.

Wildlife Department Director General H.D. Ratnayake said, “This statistic shows that Sri Lanka’s elephants are in good health and that their population is growing.”

Elephants bathing in the Maha Oya River at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage in Sri Lanka

If you’re planning on visiting Sri Lanka to see some of these stunning mammals up close, a visit to the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is highly recommended. Established in 1975 with seven orphans, and now one of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist sites, the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is also a conservation and educational centre, supported by local and international experts with a scientific captive breeding programme. The nearby Maha Oya River is an important setting and a must-see for the daily bathing and play session before the elephants return to the orphanage with the expert guides.

Source: The Guardian

Tags: Cultural Tours, Experiences, featured, Sri Lanka Holidays, Wildlife

Category: Cultural Tours, Experiences, Wildlife