Yesterday, two wild elephants tragically lost their lives in the Malutivu and Kilinochchi districts. According to the Kilinochchi Wildlife Office, one of the elephants was fatally struck by the Uttara Devi train while it was on its journey from Jaffna to Colombo in the Murukandi area of Kilinochchi. The other elephant, a tusker, was discovered lifeless in the Salamban area of Oddusudan Periya Mullaitivu, as reported by the Mullaitivu Wildlife Officer.
Further investigations have revealed that the tusker in Mullaitivu died as a result of electrocution from an unauthorized electric cable that had been installed to protect the paddy field from wild elephants. The Wildlife officials have identified the deceased tusker as a 15-year-old and have informed the Oddusudan Police to apprehend the field owner responsible for the placement of the electric wires.
Today, the last rites for both elephants, one hit by the train and the other electrocuted, are scheduled to take place.
