Human-elephant conflicts kill 40 people, 83 wild elephants in Anuradhapura so far this year

21 December 2023 03:04 pm Views - 636

BY DAYARATNE EMBOGAMA

Anuradhapura, Dec. 21 (Daily Mirror)- Some 40 people and 83 wild elephants have died due to human-elephant conflicts from January to this date in the Anuradhapura wildlife zone, Anuradhapura Zonal Wildlife Conservator W.M.K.S. Chandraratne said.

It was revealed at the Compensation Committee meeting held under the chairmanship of Additional District Secretary Sandhya N.G. Abesekara.

The Additional District Secretary pointed out that 40 people had been killed, 47 others rendered disabled and 710 houses and other property extensively damaged by wild elephants and that Rs. 54.9 million has been paid as compensation up to October this year.

The Zonal Wildlife Conservator said 49 wild elephants had either been electrocuted by illegal electric traps and 34 others shot dead or had died under natural circumstances.