Recalling elephant stampedes in Kandy and Manhattan

This photograph is by Mahinda Kannangara

The photograph of the actual melee with the elephants on the rampage is the work of photographer Kannangara

Who said that an elephant stampede happened only at the Kandy Esala Perahera (Pageant). A similar incident occurred even in USA which had killed hundreds and also left many elephants dead. The year was 1929. 
This ancient ritual or what we call ‘pageant’ saw its largest elephant stampede in Sri Lanka in 1959. The stampede left three dead and the shooting of ‘Raja’ the elephant-a magnificent animal from Alawatugoda in the now famous ‘Ali Mudukkuwa’ or the popular De Soyza Lane.

A committee was appointed to probe this tragedy where Police Constable Banda, who shot the elephant was later promoted to the rank of a Sergeant. The shooting was done by him on his own as there were no Senior Officers to give him orders.  It was a matter of life and death for the people as they ran after the elephant. The animal could not turn as the road was narrow.  Police Constable Banda, who had come from the side of Dalada Veediya, went down De Soyza alley and shot the elephant on its forehead. The elephant had collapsed onto a vehicle and died later. 

This writer was a witness to the incident as he former ‘Times of Ceylon’ office was situated right opposite where the Maligawa tusker stood still. The Diyawadana Nilame C.B.Nugawela was at the rear of the elephant. 
It so happened when as usual scribes had gone to the Maligawa to view the carrying of the Golden Casket to be placed on the tusker. From there we walked unhindered by the Police.  The Police- unlike today- was so friendly.
The ‘Times of Ceylon’ office was where the present ‘Devon’ Hotel stands.

After we reached the office and were viewing the pageant, the Maligawa Tusker had by this time come near the present Bank of Ceylon building.  Then this writer saw the Diyawadana Nilame Nugawela coming forward and worshiping the Tusker.  It was said by the then Mayor A. C. L. Ratwatte, who was accompanying the Diyawadana Nilame ( His Uncle ) that the Diyawadana Nilame came in front of the Tusker and said, “Please save me”.  After the running had stopped, this writer stepped onto the streets as to view what had happened and found that the iron electric post right at the centre of Yathinuwara Veediya had been bent.  The bodies of three humans were lying under a bench opposite ‘Paiva’s Hotel. Daredevil photographer Mahinda Kannagara had taken photographs of the melee. 

Mahinda had gone near the elephant who had struck an electric post.  The elephant had gone berserk near ‘Chitra Stores’, which is still in operation.  One of the riders had jumped up on to a roof while two were on Raja’s back. The melee prompted the dancers, policemen and people to look for safer places. 
When the melee had died down and there were no elephants in sight it was obvious that most of the animals had been taken away by the Mahouts. The Maligawa Tusker stood by his responsibilities and went on his way through the streets to the Sri Dalada Maligawa.  The Diyawadana Nilame did not budge an inch and protected the Golden Casket. 
A one man Committee was appointed and a report was filed.  Mahinda Kannangara- the main witness- gave evidence.

The photograph of the actual melee with the elephants on the rampage is the work of photographer Kannangara. 
There is no plaque to indicate where the Elephant had fallen or was killed due to a bullet fired by a Policeman. 
How did another stampede occur in Kandy in 1959?  The story that did the rounds was one of the organizers, who was with a stick in hand, had slapped the mahout and he in turn is alleged to have pricked the elephant with a nail. The elephant in return had hit the Mahout with his trunk and the Mahout had run away. That is supposed to have been what prompted the Kandy Stampede in 1959.

The famous stampede of Manhattan in 1929 in Brooklyn, USA has a monument indicating the massive elephant stampede man has ever known.
In the stampede, in USA, a tusker was shot. The animal had injured a multitude of men and women who had come to see the opening of a new bridge, Brooklyn Bridge.
Brooklyn Bridge was constructed to help people cross into lower Manhattan and the wholesome tradition commenced with the then world famous showman P.T. Barum.
The cheers ended with screams of horror and scores of bones being crushed under the elephants’ feet. One of the most Horrific land animal tragedies was witnessed on that day in the United States history.

The ‘Star’ led the elephants across Brooklyn Bridge was the tallest and it was a 13-feet tall African Elephant.  Massive crowds came from all over the United States of America to watch the elephants crossing the Brooklyn Bridge.
However, before the big jumbo and the other elephants could complete their journey, something upset the animals. That led to a deadly stampede. The elephants bulldozed anything and everyone in their path. Bones were crushed. Helpless citizens were dragged through the streets like rag dolls. Then the action shifted down Broadway to Wall Street where more chaos unfolded. 

A closer view of the monument showing the dead people and the tusker holding a man