LNP – Unusual activities reported in areas of elephant-human conflicts: Veterinarians’ Association

Unusual activities are being reported in the areas where the elephants are being cased or captured to prevent elephant-human conflicts, advisor to the board of the Association of Veterinarians for Humane Management of Animal Population, Dr. Chamith Nanayakkara said.

He told the Daily Mirror that many elephants which are refusing to leave are stuck in the Oyamaduwa area. The elephants are currently within the Oyamaduwa National Livestock Development Board (NLDB) farm.

“A milking cow was reportedly attacked by an elephant and killed yesterday after entering the area where the elephants are now living. Chasing away elephants is not practical, and it is not the solution to the elephant-human conflict. The elephants tend to return to their habitat areas even after being chased away. That is their nature,” the veterinary doctor said.

“After the elephants are chased to the Wilpattu National Park, the food available there might not be sufficient for such a large herd. These elephants could die as a result. The firecrackers used to chase away the elephants harm them. Elephants might become deaf from the noise and some could even suffer blindness or sustain injuries.

“As a result of using firecrackers, elephants in the herd might become disabled and suffer. Newborn calves could be killed while fleeing in fear.

“Attempts to chase the elephants to national parks using firecrackers have been made multiple times, but without success. The recent decision to drive elephants to Wilpattu National Park is the most careless decision ever made by senior government officials in the North Central Province to appease the government.

“The elephant-human conflict did not start under this government. The coconut shortage and the increase in the monkey population were not experienced solely under this administration. Therefore, there is no need for the government to take impulsive decisions. Relevant decisions should be made in accordance with a national policy under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance,” Dr. Nanayakkara said.

He added, “First, a secretariat should be formed under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance. Through this secretariat, a national policy should be implemented following discussions with veterinarians, environmentalists, zoologists and all relevant animal welfare organizations.

“After establishing a national policy, solutions to the human-animal conflict will emerge naturally. There is no need to rush or resort to killing animals, as Agriculture Minister K.D. Lal Kantha has suggested to farmers to address the crop devastation.

“A roadmap should be developed to manage the situation. Through this, the government can advise people on how to act in line with the policy. The government must take responsible actions to manage the conflict effectively,” he said.