Sri Lanka has lost one of its most iconic wild elephants, Kawanthissa, a majestic tusker whose towering presence and magnificent tusks made him a celebrated figure among wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa announced the death of Kawanthissa, who had been receiving veterinary treatment for nearly a month following a gunshot injury.
Believed to be between 50 and 60 years old, Kawanthissa stood approximately 11 feet tall, with tusks measuring more than six feet in length. He was widely regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s tallest living wild tuskers.
First spotted in 2008, the elephant was named Kawanthissa in 2015 after the ancient Sri Lankan ruler King Kawan Tissa, father of King Dutugemunu.
The tusker was a familiar sight in the Galgamuwa, Usgala and Siyambalangamuwa areas of the Kurunegala District, where he roamed for years, becoming a favourite among wildlife photographers and elephant enthusiasts.
Despite his enormous size, Kawanthissa was reportedly not known to have killed or injured anyone.
His final struggle began in September when wildlife observers discovered a gunshot injury near his right front leg. Wildlife veterinarians began treatment on September 24, initially reporting signs of recovery.
However, his condition subsequently deteriorated, with the elephant developing further health complications and losing his appetite.
On October 16, Kawanthissa was found collapsed in a paddy field near Siyambalangamuwa, prompting an emergency operation by wildlife veterinarians. The government also sought assistance from veterinary specialists in Thailand.
His death has renewed concerns over the protection of Sri Lanka’s remaining iconic tuskers, particularly as human-elephant conflict, habitat loss and deliberate shootings continue to threaten the country’s wild elephant population.
For wildlife enthusiasts who followed his movements for nearly two decades, Kawanthissa’s death marks the loss of another irreplaceable symbol of Sri Lanka’s natural heritage. (Newswire)
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