21 August 2021 12:00 am Views - 90
By Lakmal Sooriyagoda
State Minister of Wildlife Protection Wimalaweera Dissanayaka has issued an extraordinary gazette notification to regularise the registration of tamed Elephants and their protection and well-being.
According to the regulations, the Director-General of Wildlife is vested with power to register and issue a licence in respect of a tamed elephant.
The provisions state that when a tamed elephant is used for tourism or such other activity, more than four persons should not be allowed on such an elephant as a measure of its well-being. When a Veterinary Surgeon or a Registered Traditional Doctor who treats elephants determines that an elephant is unfit to engage in any work, such elephant should not be used for any work, service or other duty.
It has recommended that a vehicle used for the transportation of an elephant shall have a strong coverage with a platform made adopting strong protective methods and a minimum of six wheels. The speed of such a vehicle should not exceed thirty (30 km) per hour.
Meanwhile, the regulations further outline any person who has the custody of an elephant should have land more than three acres in order to take care of such an elephant.