277 wild elephants killed up to now

• Many deaths due to ad hoc electric fences set up by farmers to protect crops

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama

While there has been a decrease in elephant deaths this year, a total of 277 elephants have been killed up to October due to both natural and man-made causes, according to the Department of Wildlife Conservation.  As many as 488 elephants were killed last year.

Following investigations conducted by the department, it was revealed that elephant deaths were mainly due to ad hoc electric fences erected by farmers to protect their crops.

 Following investigations conducted by the department, it was revealed that elephant deaths were mainly due to ad hoc electric fences erected by farmers to protect their crops.

The department investigated personal electric fences and decided to remove the illegal ones. Instructions were given to ensure that electric fences were installed legally. The department said that even legal electric fences did not meet proper standards. Many personal electric fences were monitored. These precautions have helped reduce the number of elephant deaths.

As a result, the number of elephant deaths due to electrocution decreased to 35 this year, compared to nearly 70 last year. The department created a journal to outline steps to reduce elephant fatalities.