Sri Lanka's Tallest Bull Elephant Dies After Gunshot Wound

Kavantissa, the tallest living male elephant in Sri Lanka, died on October 16 following a gunshot wound to his leg. The animal was believed to be approximately 45 years old. He stood 3.3 meters high and weighed 5,500 kilograms. His range included the northwest region of the country near the village of Galgamuwa.

Villagers first noticed the elephant limping in late September. An examination revealed a bullet wound in his right leg. Veterinary surgeons treated the injury, but Kavantissa did not survive. His death adds to a growing list of casualties in the ongoing conflict between humans and elephants on the island.

Sri Lanka records more annual elephant deaths than any other nation. It also reports the second highest number of human deaths from violent encounters between the two species. These incidents typically happen when elephants raid crops and enter farmland. Official data indicates that since 2019, an average of 370 elephants and 125 people have died each year in such conflicts.

The island supports about 10% of the world's Asian elephant population. This concentration occurs on land that covers only 2% of the species' natural range. The Sri Lankan elephant is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. National law protects the species with fines and jail terms for wildlife offenses, yet elephants continue to die from shootings, poisoning, train strikes, and explosives.

Forest cover has decreased as the population has expanded. The rural population grew from 8.25 million in 1960 to 17.8 million in 2020. Farming remains the primary income source for many, leading to the clearing of land for agriculture. The Department of Wildlife Conservation estimated 7,451 wild elephants in 2024. About 70% of these animals live outside protected areas. Each elephant consumes roughly 150 kilograms of vegetation daily, drawing them toward human settlements.

Ravi Corea, president of the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society, attributed the conflict to habitat loss and agricultural expansion. He noted that fragmented elephant corridors and competition for land drive the tension. Crop losses threaten the main food and income sources for rural families. Corea stated that a national action plan drafted in 2020 provides a foundation but requires a comprehensive conservation strategy with enforceable habitat protection.

Non-governmental groups have implemented community programs that show promise. Project Orange Elephant in the Wasgamuwa region encourages farmers to plant citrus trees, which elephants avoid. This strategy reduces crop raiding while providing extra income. Electric fencing protects settlements and farmland. The EleFriendly bus service transports schoolchildren safely through elephant corridors. This service has reduced dangerous encounters along its original route by more than 90%.