Sri Lanka's largest wild bull elephant dies from gunshot wound

Kavantissa, the tallest living male elephant in Sri Lanka, died on October 16 after sustaining a gunshot wound to his right leg. The animal, estimated to be 45 years old, stood approximately 3.3 meters high and weighed around 5,500 kilograms. His death has intensified scrutiny on the growing friction between the island's human population and its dense elephant herds.

Villagers near Galgamuwa in the northwest first observed the bull limping in late September. A subsequent examination confirmed a projectile injury to his right leg. Veterinary surgeons attempted to treat the wound, but Kavantissa did not recover. He was known for his imposing size and was widely recognized in the local area.

Sri Lanka records the highest number of elephant deaths globally each year. It also has the second-highest number of human fatalities resulting from human-elephant conflicts. Official data indicates that since 2019, an average of 370 elephants and 125 people have died annually in these incidents. Most conflicts arise when elephants invade farmland to feed on crops.

The island supports roughly 10% of the world's Asian elephant population despite covering only 2% of their natural range. This concentration gives Sri Lanka the highest density of the species on Earth. The Sri Lankan elephant is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. Although national law protects the animals with fines and imprisonment for offenses, they continue to be killed by bullets, poison, trains, or hidden explosives.

Habitat loss is a primary driver of these encounters. The rural population increased from 8.25 million in 1960 to 17.8 million in 2020, leading to the clearing of land for agriculture. The Department of Wildlife Conservation estimated the wild elephant population at 7,451 in 2024, with approximately 70% residing outside protected areas. Each elephant requires about 150 kilograms of vegetation daily, which pulls them toward cultivated fields.

Ravi Corea, president of the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society, attributed the conflict to habitat fragmentation and agricultural expansion. He noted that crop losses threaten rural livelihoods, a dynamic distinct from wildlife conflicts in wealthier nations. Corea stated that while a 2020 national action plan provides a foundation, it requires enforceable habitat protection to be effective.

Community-based interventions are showing measurable results. In the Wasgamuwa region, Project Orange Elephant encourages farmers to plant citrus crops that elephants avoid, reducing raiding while generating income. An electric fencing program and the EleFriendly bus service, which transports students through elephant corridors, have reduced dangerous encounters along their routes by more than 90%.