A circulating photograph captures the heartbreaking sight of an elephant in Udawalawa National Park, with its trunk severed after being ensnared in a hunter’s trap. Despite being under the care of wildlife officials and veterinarians for eight years, this elephant’s suffering reflects a larger issue of cruelty and loss of life among elephants in the country.
Startling statistics from the Department of Forestry reveal that in 2022 alone, 433 elephant deaths were reported. Of these, 161 were directly caused by human actions, including shootings and the use of traps such as Hakka Patas. Electrocution and poisoning also contributed to the grim toll.
Tragically, this year has seen 145 human fatalities due to elephant attacks. Among the remaining recorded wild elephant deaths, natural causes accounted for 217, while 55 were attributed to indirect factors such as train accidents, road accidents, falls into agricultural wells, and drowning in irrigation systems.
The underlying reality behind these deaths is deeply distressing. Communities find themselves trapped indoors, unable to pursue livelihoods or venture outside due to the threats posed by wild elephants. Forest destruction resulting from destructive plantation projects by politicians and capitalists has led to the loss of elephant habitats and spurred protests in southern regions.
Moreover, the world’s attention is now focused on the exploitation of captive elephants under the pretext of Perahara culture. The mistreatment endured by Muthu Raja in Kanda Vihara, subsequently returned to Thailand, has brought shame upon the country, exposing the barbarity within temple practices.
As a nation, our cultural pride stands compromised. Muthuraja’s ordeal has laid bare the uncultured society that exists, questioning the very existence and well-being of animals when humanity itself has lost its way.
