An attempt to steal a baby elephant from Udawalawe National Park has been thwarted by Army and wildlife officers last night (10) . Troops who were patrolling in the National Park last night found a man wandering in the jungle, and when apprehending him, officers spotted a 7-year-old elephant tied to a tree with ropes.
The Wildlife officials have been informed about this and action has been taken to rescue the baby elephant. Investigations have shown that the calf believed to have been captured after being tranqulized. However, wildlife sources say that although information has been received that an organized group was involved in the elephant theft, the identity of the culprits has not been revealed yet.
Wildlife officers say the elephent captured was an elephant fostred in Udawalawe fostering station, Eth Athiuru Sewana and later being released to thre park.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa also issued a statement in Parliament this morning thanking the Diyatalawa Army camp soldiers, wildlife staff and the Minister of Wildlife for capturing the elephant theft.
Elephant theft in Udawalawe narrowly thwarted
