128 wild elephants die in Sri Lanka between January and May

Colombo, May 21 (Daily Mirror) - The Department of Wildlife Conservation said that 128 wild elephant deaths have been reported between January 1 and May 15 this year.

According to the latest data, 20 elephants died due to shootings, while 15 deaths were caused by electrocution.

The department also said that 10 elephants died after eating 'hakkapatas' and five others died after falling into cultivation wells.

In addition, several elephant deaths were reported due to poisoning, train collisions and drowning.

The highest number of wild elephant deaths was reported from the Eastern region. Deaths were also reported from the Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura wildlife zones.

Meanwhile, the Department of Wildlife Conservation points out that 35 human deaths caused by wild elephant attacks have also been reported so far this year.