Pregnant elephant shot dead

• Jumbo shot in its head, most probably with a T56 rifle 
• Carcass found lying in vegetable cultivation about 100 metres  away from the tank

By Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa   

Adding to the recent death toll of wild elephants another she elephant had been shot dead on the banks of Verunkulama tank in Kekirawa in the early hours of last morning.  
Kekirawa police said the jumbo had been shot in its head, most probably with a T56 rifle and that the carcass was lying in a vegetable cultivation about 100 metres away from the tank.  

 Wildlife conservators from Ritigala wildlife office who visited the scene and examined the carcass said they believe that the she elephant was pregnant but it could be confirmed after the postmortem examination.  

Meanwhile, residents of the area said wild elephants roamed into the villagers in search of fodder and water and they noticed several of them frequenting the tank reservation. The villagers who expressed concern about the death of the jumbo said although they were facing a threat of wild elephants they were shocked to find the pregnant she elephant shot dead mercilessly.   

During investigations, Kekirawa police recorded the statements of several individuals who had been frequenting the tank bund the previous night and the owner of the vegetable cultivation. However any suspect had not yet been arrested. 

•  Wildlife conservators believe the she elephant  was pregnant