Severed trunk, gunshot wounds, hakka patas; 20 elephants under treatment

74 human deaths have been recorded in 2025, 155 deaths in 2024

4,887 wild elephants have died across Sri Lanka between 2010 and July 22, 2025

Two tuskers in Horowpathana have also been shot in the legs, but wildlife officers have yet to locate them for medical intervention

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama  

Twenty injured and disabled elephants are currently undergoing treatment across various wildlife zones in Sri Lanka, including a 15-year-old male elephant in Kekirawa whose trunk was partially severed after being trapped, while in Yala Zone 1, another elephant is receiving intensive care due to paralysis in its left hind leg, according to wildlife authorities.  
Additionally, 74 human deaths have been recorded in 2025 so far, while 155 were reported in 2024 due to the human-elephant conflict, the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) revealed.  
According to the department, eight elephants are under care in the Anuradhapura Wildlife Zone, four in Polonnaruwa, three in the North-Western Zone, and five in the Uva Zone.  
In Anuradhapura, five elephants are receiving continuous care in areas such as Kebithigollewa, Seeppukulama, Thirappane, Kala Wewa, and Isinbassagala, mostly for leg injuries caused by gunshots. One of the most tragic cases involves a 15-year-old male elephant in Kekirawa, whose trunk was partially separated after being trapped. It is now being treated by wildlife veterinary teams.  
Two tuskers in Horowpathana have also been shot in the legs, but wildlife officers have yet to locate them for medical intervention.  
In the Uva Wildlife Zone, an elephant in Yala Zone 1 is being treated due to paralysis of the knee of the left hind leg. In Yala Zone 6, two elephants trapped by tree stumps and suffering leg injuries are now recovering after successful veterinary intervention.  
In the Dambearawewa area, an elephant wounded in the front leg by gunfire is under treatment and recovering, while another elephant in Wellawaya is in critical condition after suffering a severe blow to the head.   In Polonnaruwa, elephants in the Kandalama Wewa, Kaudulla Reservoir and Wilgamuwa areas have suffered gunshot and ambush injuries. One elephant shot in the front leg in Kandalama is recovering, while another, which fell into water after being injured in the hind leg, is also being treated. An elephant shot in the head in Wilgamuwa remains in critical condition.  
Three sick elephants in Galgamuwa, Kalawewa, and Eluwankulam in the Wayamba Wildlife Zone have been treated by the Nikaweratiya Veterinary Office. The elephant in Eluwankulam is in a life-threatening condition due to severe swelling in its hind left leg.  
A 10-year-old female elephant in Galgamuwa is also in critical condition after suffering a ruptured jawbone, which caused severe damage to her mouth and gums. Meanwhile, another elephant in Kalawewa is being treated for a bacterial infection.  
Meanwhile, the department has revealed that a staggering 4,887 wild elephants have died across Sri Lanka between 2010 and July 22, 2025, due to various causes including gunshot wounds, electrocution, and Hakka Patas (improvised explosive devices).