Human - Elephant Conflict in Sri Lanka

In 2007,193 elephants died in Sri Lanka , the vast majority shot, poisoned or electrocuted. Some were run over by trains, others fe1l down wells. Only a few died of disease. That compares to a total population estimated at around 3,000-4,000 elephants, and is up from 171 deaths in 2006. In Sri Lanka 's northern and northwestern districts alone, home to an estimated 1,500 ele­phants, 63 elephants were killed, 27 of those directly by gunfire.

Others died of septicaemia from gunshot wounds, some were poisoned with chemical-laced pumpkins and a few electrocuted by wires connected directly to the electricity grid. Elephants, the vast majority of which roam wild in forest and jungle areas, are increasingly straying into human settlement areas in search of food, as their habitat is encroached upon by develop­ment projects, the war and man. Some have fled their habitats because of artillery battles between the mili­tary and rebels. What is now the Tiger Rebels' northern stronghold was full of elephants in the mid -18 th century according to one antique map. It is unclear how many there are in that area now. 'The human population is increasing, the forest is decreasing. You can't stop it," said Manjula Amararathna, Northwest Region Assistant Director of Sri Lanka 's
Department of Wildlife and Conservation. Elephants killed 50 people in 2007, some trampled, others smashed against the ground using their trunks - and at least one woman was torn limb from limb.