Famous Yala tusker Sando dead?

Colombo, Feb 22 (Daily Mirror) - In the wake of reports that the famous tusker called ‘Sando’ in the Yala National Park has not been spotted for days, the Wildlife Conservation Department has initiated investigations to determine whether it is dead or not.

Environmental conservationists are alarmed especially after the carcass of a tusker was found, triggering speculation that Sando is no more.

Asked about its plight, a top official of the Department said the tusker commonly known by people as Sando is not always visible in Block 1 of the Yala National Park which is mostly frequented by foreign and local tourists.

“The Wildlife Conservation Department does not name elephants. Only environmentalists and animal lovers have given such names. However, it is not yet confirmed whether the tusker named ‘Sando’ is dead or alive. It does not always roam in the same block. It moves to other blocks which are not visited by tourists as such,” he said.

Asked about the carcass of a tusker found recently, he said the veterinary surgeon who conducts investigations has not yet confirmed it.

“It has to be conducted after comparing the physical details of Sando with that of the carcass. It is a tedious process. We have to compare Sando’s photo with that of the carcass found,” he said.

Sando was the centre of attraction. There are videos of the tusker chasing after Safari jeeps much to the excitement of tourists.

According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Sri Lankan elephants are the largest and the darkest of the Asian elephants. Their herd size ranges from 12-20 individuals and the oldest female typically leads the herd.

Last year, more than 170 people and nearly 500 elephants were killed in human-elephant encounters overall - and around 20 elephants are killed by trains annually.