Infra-red cameras on trains to save wild elephants

18 August 2016 05:49 pm - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Wildlife Conservation Department has decided to install Infra-Red cameras in trains travelling through forest areas known to be frequented by wild elephants. This new move is an attempt to save the wild elephants from being run over by trains.

Wildlife Conservation Department Director W.K.S. Pathirana said he decided to take this step in view of the increasing death toll of wild elephants run over by train in the Northern and Eastern railway lines.

Talking to BBC about his plan to save wild elephants from train accidents, he said experienced Wildlife Conservation officers would also accompany train drivers. Mr. Pathirana said for a start, they were deployed in Polonnaruwa and Welikanda areas to accompany the drivers.

However, he said the project might be held up for want of funds to procure infra-red cameras. (Romesh Madusanka)

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Comments - 9

Dinesh Thursday, 18 August 2016 07:21 PM

The govt does not money to buy few infra-red cameras?

Jaya Thursday, 18 August 2016 07:25 PM

What about radio collars on all the elephants in SL. Let the govt have a dept for monitoring their movements

Depp Thursday, 18 August 2016 07:38 PM

No, they only have money for new Prados

Cobra Thursday, 18 August 2016 08:04 PM

When elephants cross they usually together and they take their time. So infra-red lights will not help for when they focus on the animals it's too late for a speeding locomotive to stop. It is better for trains to reduce speed to a bare minimum at noted elephant crossings like they reduce speeds at old bridges etc..

Harry Friday, 19 August 2016 09:51 AM

Habibi! Bridges are permanent and are known to the train operators but locations of elephants are unknown.

Asanka Friday, 19 August 2016 10:10 AM

Even we have many smart offices in government organisations, this stupid gov doesn't allow them to implement any profitable nor long run projects. I am really disappointed with yahapalanaya...

sinhabahu Friday, 19 August 2016 10:36 AM

No money to save the endangered wild elephants A big joke. 4 elephant s killed by ONE SHOT ! Prominent Buddhist prelate was sent to jail for keeping a baby elephant.In a few years time srilankan elephant can be seen at the Dehiwela Zoo only.

Rhonda Taylor Friday, 19 August 2016 01:06 PM

Its about time something was done to save our Majestic elephants.They are treated so badly by their mahouts and constantly beaten.They are run over at random by trains.What a sad plight for these animals.

JJ Friday, 19 August 2016 03:41 PM

Yahapalana government shold immediately arrange funds through the finance ministry to concerned authority to sort out this urgent issue.

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Infra-red cameras on trains to save wild elephants

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