Joint search operations by the Army and wildlife officials to locate the elephant known as ‘Agbo’ continued throughout the day today, with efforts scheduled to resume tomorrow, the Environment Minister said.
Personnel from the 21st Infantry Division, including Major General Kaminda Silva, Brigadier Basnayake and Major Silva, conducted a search operation along the right bank of the canal carrying water from Eheiyiya Wewa to Mahakanadarawa.
During the operation, a herd of elephants, including one that resembled Agbo, was spotted. However, when wildlife officials and Army personnel approached the herd to verify the elephant’s identity, the group, which included a tusker, moved into a densely forested area.
Meanwhile, another search team received information that a farmer in the Thodamaduwa area had spotted Agbo. According to the farmer, the elephant passed near his hut at around 3 a.m. today, heading towards Nachchaduwa Tank.
Wildlife officials said Agbo was believed to be in a state of musth, a period characterised by heightened aggression in male elephants, and was moving rapidly, making the search operation challenging.
The Minister of Environment, who is closely monitoring the search efforts, said necessary arrangements had been made to continue the operation tomorrow.
Joint efforts by the Army and wildlife officials are continuing to establish Agbo’s exact location and determine the next course of action.