Sri Lanka's tallest elephant dies after villagers shoot him in the leg

Kavantissa, the tallest living male elephant in Sri Lanka, died on October 16 from a gunshot wound to his right leg. The animal was approximately 45 years old and stood about 3.3 meters high. He weighed roughly 5,500 kilograms before his death.

Villagers in the Galgamuwa area first noticed the elephant limping in late September. A closer inspection revealed the bullet wound. Veterinary surgeons attempted to treat the injury, but Kavantissa did not survive.

Sri Lanka records the highest number of elephant deaths annually of any country. It also ranks second globally for human deaths caused by conflicts with elephants. These incidents typically happen when animals enter farmland to feed. Official data indicates that an average of 370 elephants and 125 people have died in such encounters each year since 2019.

The island is home to about 10% of the world's Asian elephant population. This concentration occurs on land that covers only 2% of the species' natural range. The Sri Lankan elephant is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. National law protects the species, imposing fines and jail terms for wildlife offenses. Despite these laws, animals are still killed by bullets, poison, trains, or explosives hidden in food.

Habitat loss drives much of the conflict. The rural population in Sri Lanka grew from 8.25 million in 1960 to 17.8 million in 2020. Many rural residents rely on farming for their income, leading to the clearing of land for agriculture. The Department of Wildlife Conservation estimated the wild elephant population at 7,451 in 2024. About 70% of these animals live outside protected areas. Each elephant requires roughly 150 kilograms of vegetation daily, which pulls them toward crops.

Ravi Corea, president of the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society, identified habitat loss and agricultural expansion as primary causes of the conflict. He noted that fragmented corridors and competition for land worsen the situation. Crop losses threaten the main source of food and income for rural families. Corea stated that a 2020 national action plan provides a foundation but needs a comprehensive strategy with enforceable habitat protection.

Community programs offer some solutions. The Project Orange Elephant in the Wasgamuwa region encourages farmers to grow citrus crops that elephants avoid. This approach reduces crop raiding and provides extra income for growers. Electric fencing also protects settlements and farmland in the area.

The EleFriendly bus service in Wasgamuwa carries schoolchildren through elephant corridors. This service addresses safety concerns that previously discouraged children from walking to school. The bus has reduced dangerous encounters along its original route by more than 90%.

Kamal Shashendra, an environmental ethics researcher based in Sri Lanka, said solutions must protect human lives, livelihoods, and elephant populations simultaneously. He argued that this requires scientifically informed land-use planning and protected corridors. Shashendra also cited the need for community-based fencing, effective early-warning systems, and fair compensation for affected families.