The Department of Wildlife Conservation in Sri Lanka has reported that 44 wild elephants have been shot dead so far in 2025, highlighting a continuing rise in human-elephant conflict and illegal killings.
This year’s figure follows a similar pattern from 2024, when 84 elephants were killed by gunfire.
According to Wildlife Director General Ranjan Marasinghe, a total of 245 elephants have died in 2025 due to various causes.
Of those, 38 elephants were electrocuted, and 13 were killed after being hit by trains.
In 2024, the total elephant death toll was 388, indicating a persistent and troubling trend in wildlife fatalities.
In response to the crisis, the Ministry of Environment has launched a special action plan to protect Sri Lanka’s wild elephant population.
Environment Minister Dr. Dhammika Pattabendi announced that wildlife officers are closely monitoring iconic elephants like “Kavantissa,” who is currently roaming near the Galgamuwa area.
