Over 400 dead as human-elephant conflict turns deadlier

Majority of elephant deaths caused by gunshots

By Sheain Fernandopulle

The ongoing human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka has claimed the lives of 427 people and pachyderms within the first nine months of this year, data revealed.

According to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, 314 elephants have died so far in 2025, while 113 people have lost their lives in elephant attacks during the same period.

A senior official from the department told Daily Mirror that the causes behind the elephant deaths included 53 from gunshot injuries, 44 from electrocution, 35 from explosives concealed in food items known as ‘hakka patas’, and 14 in train collisions.

The remaining deaths were attributed to natural causes or unidentified reasons. Most of the elephants killed were juveniles.

Furthermore, the majority of elephants’ deaths have been reported from the Eastern Province.

The official added that 2024 saw a total of 388 elephant deaths and 155 human fatalities due to the conflict.