361 Elephants Died in Sri Lanka Last Year... Highest Number Since Independence

Sri Lanka Elephant / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] It has been revealed that 361 elephants lost their lives in Sri Lanka, an island nation in the southern Indian Ocean, last year.

On the 11th (local time), the BBC reported this citing data from environmental protection organizations.

According to the media, the number of elephants that died last year is known to be the highest since Sri Lanka's independence in 1948.

Regarding this, environmental activist Sajiwa Chamikara stated, "It is estimated that 85% of the deceased elephants were sacrificed by humans," adding, "Residents used electric fences, poisons, and bombs to kill elephants."

As villages and farmland expanded on the island, habitats have decreased, causing some elephants to enter villages, destroying crops or attacking people. Residents responded accordingly.

The Sri Lankan government is taking measures such as installing fences between residential areas and elephant habitats.

Meanwhile, it is estimated that about 7,500 wild elephants currently inhabit Sri Lanka.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.