What’s the solution to treat ailing jumbos?

It is a known fact that many jumbos have sustained gunshot injuries as a result of the ongoing human-elephant conflict. The recent incident of a wild elephant going on rampage at Medawachchiya town, destroying public property and crops speak volumes about the aggressive behaviour showcased by these gentle giants due to the lack of elephant corridors and growing human encroachment. Many roaming elephants now find  streets in places that were once their habitats and home ranges. Today elephants are confined to diminished spaces, obstructing their natural way of life. It is appalling to see how the authorities have been treating tusker Bathiya over the past few weeks. The elephant who had suffered an injury in his front leg was in a critical condition near the banks of the Polpithigama tank. Despite continuous efforts, the government couldn’t take adequate steps to revive the elephant back to a satisfactory level. The jumbo had been in water for weeks. The jumbo was lifted using a backhoe (which should have been done some time back) and shifted to another place. As citizens we need to know what the government is going to do about the HEC and steps being taken to treat injured elephants such as Bathiya. Sri Lanka lagged in its response to treat iconic tuskers in the past who succumbed to gunshot injuries in vain. 

Elephants resemble the country’s identity and natural heritage and they too have a right to live on this land!

A concerned citizen