Colombo, Oct. 23 (Daily Mirror) - An animal protection organization has called for urgent intervention to protect 13 wild elephants across the country, stressing that security forces must be involved in safeguarding them.
Speaking at a press conference in Colombo, the Wild Tuskers of Sri Lanka Chief Organizer, Chandika Lakmal, identified Agbo and Wasala as elephants requiring particularly close attention.
“Agbo is one of the elephants requiring the most critical attention. Another elephant, known as Wasala, is also living in a situation that demands intense focus. We are paying special attention to him as well,” he said.
The other elephants identified by the organization are Mahanama, Maha, Bundala Kashyapa, Suranimala, Sumedha, Surya, Mahasena, Deegabhaya, Gajabahu and Wanniyan.
Lakmal said the elephants’ habitats and behaviour made the involvement of security forces essential and urged authorities to take immediate measures to ensure their safety.
He also expressed concern over a remark reportedly made by the Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation following the death of the elephant Kavantissa.
According to Lakmal, the official had questioned whether 45 years of looking after the elephant was sufficient, but later retracted the statement.
“We strongly disagree with this statement. If such a view is adopted, we will not be able to protect even the elephants that remain,” he said.
The organization’s appeal comes amid renewed concerns over the protection of Sri Lanka’s wild elephants following Kavantissa’s death. It urged authorities to take effective action to safeguard elephants facing potential risks.