After reporting the deaths of nearly 1,200 people and more than 3,500 animals in a decade, Sri Lanka pledged on Thursday ( Feb. 27 ) to immediately stop costly clashes between villagers and wild elephants.
Environment Minister Dammika Patabendi told legislature that more electrified fences and employees will be put in place to stop elephant attacks on small towns close to wildlife refuges.
We are investing more funds to end the human-elephant fight, and we are optimistic that we will be able to end it in a short while,” Patabendi said.
Between 2015 and 2024, 1, 195 citizens and 3, 484 exotic animals were killed, he said.
In January this year, three more folks and 43 animals were killed.
Legislative leader Nalin Bandara called the death toll” surprising” and urged officials to protect both people and the endangered species.
He noted that the condition received about US$ 11.6 million over the course of ten years for the removal of exotic elephant bones, compared to US$ 4 million for elephant attack patients.