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SL wildlife groups boycott elephant census
Sri Lankan wildlife groups have said that they are withdrawing support to an elephant census over fears that it would be used to bring more animals into captivity.
The island-wide three-day count is due to start on Thursday, and reports suggest that about 4,000 wild elephants are there in the country. A smaller number of domesticated ones are used in sacred roles in Buddhist and Hindu temples.
This census is a complicated task, and officials believe that it will be more of an estimate than an exact count, the BBC reports.
Minister of Wildlife S. M. Chandrasena had said on Sunday that strong young elephant calves would be identified for capture and be "donated" to temples for use in festivals.
A group of 30 conservation organisations have condemned the remarks and announced it will not take part in the census.
Spokesman Ajantha Palihawadana said such captures would interfere with nature by removing some of the best genetic stock from the elephant population, including some with tusks that are relatively rare. (Source: newkerala.com)
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