Editorial photo #10996427 Human Interest

Elephant Crisis In Sri Lanka

A wild elephant is being seen on the island of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka, on February 14, 2024. Sri Lanka is facing a grave elephant crisis, with a steady increase in elephant deaths over recent years. In 2020, 318 elephants succumbed to various causes, a number that climbed to 375 in 2021 and reached a distressing 433 in 2022. Even in 2023, the toll remains high, with approximately 400 elephant deaths reported. These fatalities stem primarily from human-elephant conflicts, shootings, motor accidents, and diseases. With an estimated population of 6,000 elephants, the fact that Sri Lanka is losing about one elephant a day underscores the deepening wildlife conflict in the country. Urgent measures are imperative to address the root causes of this crisis and safeguard the future of these majestic creatures and the biodiversity they represent. (Photo by Thilina Kaluthotage/NurPhoto)

Photo details

Photo ID: #10996427
Date taken: 14 February 2024
Location: —
Photographer: Thilina Kaluthotage/NurPhoto
Category: Human Interest

Related keywords

wild elephant Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka elephant crisis elephant deaths human-elephant conflict shootings motor accidents diseases elephant population wildlife conflict conservation measures safeguarding biodiversity majestic creatures Thilina Kaluthotage NurPhoto February 14 2024 biodiversity urgent measures conservation environmental protection endangered species habitat destruction ecological balance nature conservation wildlife management poaching habitat loss animal welfare environmental crisis biodiversity conservation wildlife preservation sustainable coexistence ecological conservation