Sri Lankan villagers shoot tallest bull elephant in leg

Kavantissa, the tallest living male elephant in Sri Lanka, died on October 16 following a gunshot wound to his right leg. The 45-year-old bull, who stood 3.3 meters high and weighed approximately 5,500 kilograms, ranged across the northwest region near the village of Galgamuwa. His death has renewed scrutiny on the frequent violent encounters between the island’s residents and its dense elephant population.

In late September, local residents observed the elephant limping. A subsequent examination revealed the bullet injury. Veterinary surgeons treated the wound, but the animal did not recover. Kavantissa was a well-known figure in the area, admired for his size and presence in the community.

Sri Lanka records the highest number of elephant deaths annually of any country. It also holds the second-highest number of human fatalities resulting from human-elephant conflicts. These incidents typically occur when animals enter farmland to feed. Official data indicates that since 2019, an average of 370 elephants and 125 people have died each year in these disputes.

The island supports roughly 10% of the world's Asian elephants, despite occupying only 2% of their total natural range. This creates the highest density of the species globally. The Sri Lankan elephant is listed as an endangered subspecies on the IUCN Red List. Although national law protects the animals with fines and jail terms for wildlife offenses, experts note that shooting, poisoning, and train strikes remain common causes of death.

Habitat loss is a primary driver of the conflict. The rural population grew from 8.25 million in 1960 to 17.8 million in 2020. As farming remains the main source of income, land is continuously cleared for agriculture. The Department of Wildlife Conservation estimated the wild elephant population at 7,451 in 2024. About 70% of these animals live outside protected areas. Each elephant requires roughly 150 kilograms of green matter daily, which pulls them toward crops.

Ravi Corea, president of the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society, stated that habitat loss, agricultural expansion, and fragmented corridors drive the conflict. He explained that crop losses threaten rural family incomes, distinguishing this from conflicts in wealthier nations. Corea noted that a national action plan drafted in 2020 requires a comprehensive conservation strategy with enforceable habitat protection to be effective.

Community programs are showing results in some areas. The Project Orange Elephant in the Wasgamuwa region encourages farmers to grow citrus, which elephants avoid. This cuts crop raiding while providing extra income. Electric fencing also protects settlements. In the same region, the EleFriendly bus service carries schoolchildren through elephant corridors. This initiative has reduced dangerous encounters along its original route by more than 90%.