Wild mammals
Injured Sri Lankan tusker sparks debate on protection
Veterinarians have treated Sri Lanka's tallest wild tusker for a gunshot wound, prompting calls for armed guards and broader conservation reform.
Reported by Mongabay · · 1 min read
Wildlife authorities in northwestern Sri Lanka have treated Kavantissa, considered the island's tallest living tusker, after observers discovered a gunshot injury on his front leg. Wildlife enthusiast Pathum Bandara spotted the animal limping near Galgamuwa, an area known for intense conflict between people and wild herds. Untreated bullet wounds frequently cause debilitating infections that impair mobility and endanger survival.
Veterinary staff sedated the large animal to clean the wound near his knee and administered multiple doses of antibiotics. While the bull has resumed moving across forest fragments and local pathways, observers noted that he grew agitated after being hurt. He has chased both residents and rangers, heightening concerns that he might face fresh conflict.
The incident revived painful memories of previous casualties among prominent Sri Lankan bulls, including Sankha, a companion that died in 2022 after mobility issues from an earlier shooting caused him to fall into a pit. Other iconic tuskers have perished from bullets and power lines over the years, renewing scrutiny of state preservation practices.
In response, the Society for Conservation of Wild Elephants urged officials to adopt measures inspired by African models, such as Kenya's armed round-the-clock details for famous bulls Ahmed and Craig. The group proposed designating key animals as living heritage, deploying specialized security teams, attaching tracking collars, and creating local intelligence networks, estimating an individual elephant's overall value at roughly 3.8 billion rupees.
However, Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society head Ravi Corea warned that assigning guards is impractical in fragmented habitats where farms and villages constantly intersect. Corea stressed that lasting safety requires helping rural residents withstand agricultural losses, arguing that conservation cannot succeed until neighbors gain alternative income sources instead of bearing severe financial burdens alone.
