Two arrested over wild elephant deaths

Two persons have been arrested by the wildlife officials after two wild elephants were found dead in paddy fields in Tirappane and Bakamuna.

The Tirappane Police have commenced investigations following a tip-off that a wild elephant between the age of 18 and 20 was found dead in a paddy field at Orukmankulam in Tirappane on Thursday.

Police said gunshot wounds were found on the head of the dead wild elephant.

The owner of the paddy field where the dead elephant was found has been arrested by wildlife officials.

Meanwhile, the Bakamuna Police are conducting investigations after a 15-year-old elephant was found dead after it came into contact with an unauthorized electric perimeter fence setup at a farm at Samagipura in Bakamuna.

The Wildlife officials have arrested the owner of the farm where the wild elephant died. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasooriya)