Sri Lankan elephants face life threats due to human activities

Dear Supporter

The main causes of animal extinction are due to human activities and populated lands. Today the Sri Lankan elephant has been listed as endangered by the IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Sri Lanka has the highest population of wild Asian elephants worldwide, relatively native to Sri Lanka. The complication of elephant extinction would create a major unstable effect on the Island, causing unbalanced natural ecosystems which result in many other animals' death due to the effect of it. The elephant species have declined in numbers because of human-elephant conflicts causing numerous deaths, injuries, and outrages.

The natural environments of elephants are cut down and destroyed for purposes like agriculture, infrastructure, and urbanization which have led elephants to move into agricultural lands feeding on crops and vegetation. This causes a great infuriation for farmers as they rely on income through vegetation, fruits, and many crops. Farmers and general people consider elephants as 'pests' and use electric fences, gunfire, poisons, and explosive devices to kill elephants, some end up living and suffering, causing infection and malnourishment. Deforestation has led elephants to wander in streets and public spaces, where the rate of mortality increases due to railway accidence, and collisions. Large numbers of elephants have been reported dead because of the conflicts between humans and these animals.

Elephants have been held captive in Sri Lanka due to the increasing affluence of tourists, and many are forced to march at local festivals and events.

The Sri Lankan elephant has such great importance, it should be a pride and symbol to its native land. The country should work on launching more elephant reserves with the aim of conserving the Island's elephant population. Educating the common folks and desperate farmers should be more crucial. The unbelievable increase in deforestation should stop and the concentration of elephant reserves and sanctuaries is absolutely vital. 

Everybody ought to do their part, whether it be financial, education, physical, or whatsoever, in order to procreate a land thriving with content elephants and humans, both living peacefully.

Please do your part, every day.