Sri Lanka, home to over 22 million people, also shelters an estimated 4,400 wild elephants—about 10% of the global Asian elephant population.
As human and elephant populations grow and agricultural expansion continues, shared habitats have become inevitable, intensifying the Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC).
A 2010 study by the Department of Wildlife Conservation revealed that nearly 70% of Sri Lanka’s elephant range lies outside national parks and reserves. Over the past decade, this conflict has led to alarming fatalities. In 2019 alone, 361 elephants were killed—many by humans. Reports suggest that some were poisoned for damaging crops. The crisis escalated further in subsequent years, with 318 elephant deaths in 2020, 375 in 2021, and a record 433 in 2022, alongside 145 human fatalities.
In 2023, elephant deaths surged to 488, while 182 human lives were lost. By 2024, 388 wild elephants had died, with significant casualties recorded in wildlife zones such as Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, and Uva. The causes range from shootings, electrocution, and train accidents to falling into cultivation wells. “Hakka Patas”—explosives hidden in food—claimed 52 elephant lives.
Between 2015 and 2024, nearly 1,195 people and 3,484 elephants perished due to HEC. The economic burden is also severe, with elephant carcass disposal costs reaching $11.6 million and compensation for human victims totaling $4 million.
As elephants raid crops and destroy property, entire farming communities face risks. Despite the criminalization of elephant killings, Sri Lanka has recorded over 200 deaths annually for the past three years. Electric fences, covering 5,000 km, have been deployed to deter elephants, but they often cause fatal injuries. One tragic example was Deega Danthu, a famed tusker, who died entangled in an illegal electric fence at Kalawewa National Park.
The most recent HEC-related disaster occurred on 20th of February 2025, when a passenger train struck a herd near Minneriya, killing six elephants. In response, railway authorities plan to introduce technological detection systems, clear tracksides, and improve train visibility to prevent future collisions.
Addressing this crisis requires both community action and government intervention. Sustainable agricultural practices, protected elephant corridors, and natural deterrents like beehive and chili fences can help reduce conflicts. Authorities must also consider revising train schedules to minimize elephant collisions. Public awareness campaigns are crucial in fostering coexistence and mitigating further losses on both sides.
