It’s reported that Bhatiya the elephant, who had been receiving treatment for several days, passed away this morning (15).
Bhatiya was in critical condition due to gunshot wounds. A team led by Professor Ashoka Dangolla, former Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Peradeniya, went to the Polpithigama area and made great efforts to save the elephant.
“Bhatiya Dies”
Veterinarians stated that the elephant’s muscles had deteriorated and blood circulation was impaired, leading to a very severe condition.
Bhatiya was a magnificent tusker, aged between 30 and 35 years old, with symmetrical, well-shaped tusks and a powerful appearance beyond his age.
The elephant had been critically ill due to being shot on several occasions. It’s reported that Bhatiya had been lying in a waterhole in the Polpithigama area for about a week.
Villagers first saw the elephant injured from a gunshot in the Nikaweratiya wildlife zone last February. Subsequently, in May, Bhatiya was seen again after another gunshot incident, nearly 20 kilometers away in the Mahawa wildlife zone.
Due to gunshot wounds to its ear and a leg, the elephant progressively weakened and collapsed to its knees multiple times in several locations…. Bhatiya left us
