{"id":2490,"date":"2026-10-25T06:42:12","date_gmt":"2026-10-25T06:42:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webmediamall.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/25\/unicorn778-death-of-iconic-elephant-in-sri-lanka-pushes-authorities-to-fast-track-protection-efforts-peluang-terburuk-saat-bermain-slot-online\/"},"modified":"2026-10-25T06:42:12","modified_gmt":"2026-10-25T06:42:12","slug":"unicorn778-death-of-iconic-elephant-in-sri-lanka-pushes-authorities-to-fast-track-protection-efforts-peluang-terburuk-saat-bermain-slot-online","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webmediamall.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/25\/unicorn778-death-of-iconic-elephant-in-sri-lanka-pushes-authorities-to-fast-track-protection-efforts-peluang-terburuk-saat-bermain-slot-online\/","title":{"rendered":"UNICORN778 Death of iconic elephant in Sri Lanka pushes authorities to fast-track protection efforts Peluang Terburuk Saat Bermain Slot Online"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"post-333688\">&#13;<\/p>\n<div class=\"bulletpoints-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"bulletpoints\">\n<ul>\n<li><em>Kavantissa was a much-loved elephant among residents in Galgamuwa in north western Sri Lanka and, despite a worsening human-elephant conflict in the area, had no record of attacking humans.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Considered the tallest elephant in the island, Kavantissa died on Oct. 16 owing to gunshot injuries.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>As public outrage escalates over the elephant\u2019s death and the alleged mismanagement of the keystone species, authorities say that daily raids to confiscate illegal firearms and curb wildlife crimes will be launched to ensure protected areas and elephant habitats remain safe for all the species.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Following tusker Kavantissa\u2019s death, Thailand-based animal rights groups are pressuring their government to repatriate two elephants donated by Thailand to Sri Lanka.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><button class=\"content-expander\"><span>See All Key Ideas<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>GALGAMUWA, Sri Lanka \u2013 Residents in Galgamuwa, a rural village in Sri Lanka\u2019s North Western Province are mourning the death of an iconic wild, bull elephant that roamed the area. While Galgamuwa is on the frontlines of one of Sri Lanka\u2019s worst human-elephant <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymirror.lk\/news-features\/New-wildlife-underpass-to-curtail-HEC\/131-278146\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">conflicts<\/a>, people had a soft spot for this tusker, popularly known as Kavantissa.<\/p>\n<p>Named after a <a href=\"https:\/\/ceylonhistory.com\/en\/kings\/kavanthissa\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">king<\/a> who ruled the Kingdom of Ruhuna in ancient Sri Lanka in the 3<sup>rd<\/sup> and 2<sup>nd<\/sup> centuries B.C.E, Kavantissa was known for its gentle nature. Galgamuwa residents say it never attacked a human in its lifetime.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/bandaraj?\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">Rathnayake Mudiyanselage Jayathilaka Bandara<\/a> is a resident in Galgamuwa and an ardent animal lover. Bandara and another local resident named Kumara dedicated their time and effort to protect Kavantissa and the large herd of elephants (<em>Elephas maximus maximus<\/em>) that became famous for crossing the railway tracks in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mindat.org\/feature-1241104.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">Kasikote<\/a>, a town located between Galgamuwa and Ambanpola in the north west. Soon, this crossing became a must see among elephant lovers and Kavantissa would often emerge at the tail end.<\/p>\n<p>Bandara tells Mongabay that the demise of Kavantissa is heartbreaking because the iconic tusker was gentle and disciplined. He recalls how Kavantissa would patiently wait for the herd of elephants to cross the railway line before it made its dramatic appearance. \u201cSometimes it would pause before crossing the road and journey toward the nearby <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lankapradeepa.com\/2024\/09\/palukadawala-wewa.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">Palukadawala<\/a> tank,\u201d he said. \u201cPerhaps that was its way of greeting me and Kumara. Kavantissa would sometimes push the electric fence obstructing its way. But now, all this is just a memory for many of us.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_333710\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-333710\" src=\"https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/23152646\/IMG_4526-720x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"512\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The final hours of a beloved wild tusker, also the country\u2019s tallest pachyderm. Image via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10239701961899726&amp;set=a.10203832892195401&amp;type=3&amp;rdid=qPQXY2pxXAoeanne&amp;share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1DyhkumTFj%2F\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">Facebook<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Kavantissa and the herd of elephants became <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/Dej9HEfs8_T\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">a social media sensation<\/a> in no time, attracting crowds towards Kasikote just to witness this spectacle.<\/p>\n<p>However, on Oct. 17, Kavantissa\u2019s death came as a shock to many Sri Lankans. A gunshot injury in its right front leg is said to be the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymirror.lk\/breaking-news\/Kawantissa-died-of-gunshot-injuries-Minister\/108-352952\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">suspected cause of death<\/a>. The official postmortem report has not yet been released.<\/p>\n<p>According to reported statistics from Sri Lanka\u2019s Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), gunshot injuries caused 976 wild elephant <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymirror.lk\/news-features\/MAJESTIC-WILD-TUSKER-DIES-AMIDST-SPECULATIONS-AND-BLAME-GAMES\/131-352842\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">deaths<\/a> between 2010 and May 2026. Other causes include electrocution, <a href=\"https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2021\/11\/jaw-bombs-the-deadliest-threat-to-sri-lankas-elephants-are-scaling-up\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">use of jaw bombs<\/a>, poisoning, train accidents, road accidents and others.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Firearms aplenty<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The practice of issuing and licensed firearms to local farmers has a long history in Sri Lanka, but in 2023, then Minister of Defence <a href=\"https:\/\/www.parliament.lk\/en\/members-of-parliament\/mp-profile\/3328\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">Premitha Bandara Tennakoon<\/a> stated that laws were being amended to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defence.lk\/Article\/view_article\/27307\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">allow<\/a> farmers guns for crop protection. In October 2023, then Agriculture Minister <a href=\"https:\/\/www.parliament.lk\/en\/members-of-parliament\/mp-profile\/262\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">Mahinda Amaraweera<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymirror.lk\/breaking-news\/Distribution-of-air-rifles-to-farmers-to-prevent-crop-damage-by-wild-animals\/108-269747\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">distributed<\/a> air rifles to farmers as a means to prevent crop damage. In 2024, then Minister of Agriculture K. D. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.parliament.lk\/en\/members-of-parliament\/mp-profile\/304\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">Lal Kantha<\/a> came under heavy criticism for his remarks on issuing firearms. Subject experts <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymirror.lk\/plus\/Environmental-groups-demand-Lalkantha-to-withdraw-statement-on-wild-animals\/352-297751\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">criticized<\/a> Lal Kantha\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymirror.lk\/breaking-news\/No-legal-issues-over-farmers-taking-actions-against-wild-animals-within-their-own-lands-Minister\/108-297483\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">speech<\/a> to parliament in which he said that landowners have the liberty to take any action to protect their lands from animals.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_333711\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-333711\" src=\"https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/23152738\/IMG_4527-768x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/23152738\/IMG_4527-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/23152738\/IMG_4527-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/23152738\/IMG_4527-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Three days prior to its death, Kavantissa submerged in Kala Wewa, a reservoir in the Anuradhapura district in Sri Lanka\u2019s North Central province. Image courtesy of the Ministry of Environment.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>However, media reports suggest that he later clarified his statement claiming that his reference was only referred to crop-damaging animals such as monkeys, wild boar and peacocks, and not protected species such as elephants.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has witnessed iconic elephants fall victim to the free-floating guns. In addition to Kavantissa, another tusker, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymirror.lk\/breaking-news\/Bathiya-dead-before-Indian-veterinary-experts-arrived\/108-315285\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">Bathiya<\/a>, succumbed to gunshot injuries in 2025. Authorities are currently trying to protect <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymirror.lk\/breaking-news\/Injured-elephant-Agbo-located-in-Anuradhapura\/108-352876\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">Agbo<\/a>, a wild tusker that has survived multiple gunshot injuries.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking to Mongabay, Ranjan Marasinghe, director general of the DWC says that subsequent to Kavantissa\u2019s death, the issue of managing elephant deaths has been blown out of proportion. He says there is a social media trend of condemning authorities and complaining of inaction without sufficient understanding of on-the-ground realities.<\/p>\n<p>According to Marasinghe, the situation in the field is \u201cvery different\u201d to what is being portrayed in the media. \u201cThe department has the resources and funding to carry out wildlife management activities,\u201d he says. \u201cDaily patrols are being conducted to look for firearms and other illegal activities taking place in protected areas. Some of these efforts go unreported depending on the sensitivity of the case.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_333712\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-333712 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/23152824\/IMG_4524.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1344\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/23152824\/IMG_4524.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/23152824\/IMG_4524-768x645.jpg 768w, https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/23152824\/IMG_4524-1536x1290.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/23152824\/IMG_4524-1200x1008.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/23152824\/IMG_4524-610x512.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tusker Kavantissa spotted with the gunshot injury on Sept. 23 near the Maha Galgamuwa area. Image courtesy of DWC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The clearance of forests for agricultural purposes has pushed elephants out of dense forests towards agricultural lands, says Prithiviraj Fernando, chairperson at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ccrsl.org\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">Centre for Conservation and Research (CCR)<\/a>. According to Fernando, 82% of the country\u2019s total land area is inhabited by humans and that elephants roam in the remaining 18% of uninhabited land area.<\/p>\n<p>According to the DWC chief Marasinghe, about 70% of elephants live outside protected areas and it would be difficult to confine them within these protected He notes that there is a carrying capacity for any habitat and a number of elephants that a habitat is able to sustain without stress.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis wild tusker had a name for itself and it became popular,\u201d he says. \u201cBut as a department we cannot focus on one tusker alone. It is another ecosystem engineer that this country has lost. Contrary to rumors and media reports about declining elephant numbers, there are over 7,000 elephants in the country today. Our mission is to protect these ecosystem engineers from human interventions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Triggering shockwaves <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, tusker Kavantissa\u2019s death has triggered shock waves both locally and internationally. As Sri Lankan wildlife enthusiasts and environmentalists share outrage over what they term a \u201clack of care\u201d for an iconic elephant, a spillover effect is being felt in Thailand.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_333709\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-333709\" src=\"https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/23152511\/IMG_4535-768x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/23152511\/IMG_4535-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/23152511\/IMG_4535-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/23152511\/IMG_4535-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A herd of elephants at the Minneriya National Park in Sri Lanka\u2019s North Western province. Officials say that around 70% of elephants in Sri Lanka live outside the protected areas. Image courtesy of Kushan Sangeetha Pathiraja.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Animal rights groups in Thailand are reportedly mounting pressure on Thai authorities to recall two elephants donated to Sri Lanka. Elephant Sak Surin, locally known as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymirror.lk\/print\/news-features\/One-year-down-Muthu-Raja-gradually-recovers-in-his-home-country\/131-287402\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">Muthu Raja<\/a>, was gifted by Thailand in 2001 and repatriated in 2023 following years of neglect and severe leg injuries.<\/p>\n<p>Amid increasing public criticism of the mismanagement of Sri Lanka\u2019s elephant population and demands from local animal rights groups for an independent investigation into Kavantissa\u2019s death, the government has appointed an expert <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymirror.lk\/breaking-news\/Committee-begins-probe-into-Kawanthissas-death-discusses-rapid-response-unit\/108-353066\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">committee<\/a>. The committee held its first meeting on Oct. 21 and reportedly focused on developing scientific standard operating procedures to determine prompt action for similar situations in the future.<\/p>\n<p>The need to establish a rapid response veterinary unit was also discussed with a view to ensuring swift interventions in the field.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Banner Image:\u00a0<\/strong>Tusker Kavantissa photographed near the Usgala-Siyambalangamuwa reservoir, believed to be one of its favorite roaming grounds. Image courtesy of Pathum Bandara.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<div id=\"single-article-footer\">\n<div id=\"cite-article\" class=\"align-left banner bg-brand-color crossref-doi outlined ph--16 pv--16\">\n<h2>Cite this article<\/h2>\n<p><span class=\"crossref-doi\">Kamanthi Wickramasinghe (2026). Death of iconic elephant in Sri Lanka pushes authorities to fast-track protection efforts. Mongabay Conservation news. DOI: <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.66709\/news-333688\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.66709\/news-333688<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"container in-column about-editor-translator gap--40 pv--80\">\n<div class=\"container grid--3 repeat gap--40\">\n<div class=\"in-row gap--16\">\n<div class=\"author-avatar\">\n                    <img alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/152b62b4ad0cb65baa318dabf06ea7afd9ac52b461f29d51d3545461431b972f?s=32&amp;d=identicon&amp;r=g\" srcset=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/152b62b4ad0cb65baa318dabf06ea7afd9ac52b461f29d51d3545461431b972f?s=64&amp;d=identicon&amp;r=g 2x\" class=\"avatar avatar-32 photo\" height=\"32\" width=\"32\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\/>        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n                            <span class=\"article-comments\"><a href=\"\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"\/><\/span>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\n                            &#13;<br \/>\n        &#13;\n                        <\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#13; Kavantissa was a much-loved elephant among residents in Galgamuwa in north western Sri Lanka&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2491,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[665,12,4260,287,1295,5233,5212,739,14,9,4716,1679,11,13,738,10,2],"class_list":["post-2490","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-unicorn778","tag-authorities","tag-bermain","tag-death","tag-efforts","tag-elephant","tag-fasttrack","tag-iconic","tag-lanka","tag-online","tag-peluang","tag-protection","tag-pushes","tag-saat","tag-slot","tag-sri","tag-terburuk","tag-unicorn778"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/webmediamall.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2490","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/webmediamall.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/webmediamall.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webmediamall.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webmediamall.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2490"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/webmediamall.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2490\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webmediamall.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2491"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/webmediamall.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2490"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webmediamall.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2490"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webmediamall.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2490"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}