Two wild elephants electrocuted in Mannar and Hambegamuwa

By Romesh Madusanka and Sumanasiri Gunatilleka

The death of two wild elephants due to human activities had been reported from Mannar and Hambegamuwa areas.   

A jumbo which roamed into the Parampakandala area in Mannar had died of electric shock when it trampled on a live wire laid by a farmer to protect his paddy field from wild elephants. 

Wildlife conservation officers who conducted investigations with the help of Mannar police arrested the suspect.   

During investigations they seized the wire used by the suspect which had been removed and hidden in his house.   

Wildlife conservation officers said the jumbo was about 15 years of age.   Meanwhile in a similar incident a wild elephant had been electrocuted to death in a farm in Hambegamuwa in Kaltotha wildlife zone yesterday. Wildlife conservation officers said it was about 25 years of age and nine feet tall.   

The owner of the farm was arrested and handed over to Hambegamuwa police for further action.