– Environmental Scientist Dr. Ajantha Perera
Dr. Ajantha Perera, an environmental scientist, stated at a recent media briefing in Colombo on the 14th that the deaths of nearly 400 elephants so far this year (2025) are a great tragedy.
Further elaborating, Dr. Perera said, “The elephant is a highly intelligent animal. Because of their high intelligence, humans tend to look at them with animosity. Due to this, when a person sees this intelligent
“400 Elephant deaths this year ”
animal, they are motivated to shoot it. The number of elephants dying from gunshot wounds, train collisions, electrocution, and falling into agricultural wells has increased.”
“In 2024, 478 elephants died. And this year (2025), nearly 400 elephants have already died. Typically, 200 to 300 elephants die per year. This means that by the end of this year, the number could reach around 700 to 750. The harassment of wild elephants must stop, and the Department of Wildlife Conservation needs to look into the harm caused to elephants more closely.”
Ajith Weerasuriya
