Are Sri Lankan Elephants Endangered?
Elephants in Sri Lanka have not had it easy since the human expansion and colonisation by the British in the late 18th-century. From a population of over an estimated 14000, they saw their numbers dwindle to lows of just 1700 -- nearly 10% of their original population size.
There were many reasons for this dramatic drop in animal population. Sri Lankan elephants were affected by many human factors, from increased urbanisation and destruction of their habitat to poaching and war. But what position has that left them in as of the modern day?
Xplore Our Planet explores the threat levels of Sri Lankan elephants.
Are Sri Lankan Elephants Endangered?
Sri Lankan elephants are classified as endangered. They are considered more threatened than their cousins, African Elephants, largely due to their close proximity to high-density human settlements and comparatively small population size. Their conservation status was established in 1986 to aid in their protection. As part of laws to protect elephants, it was made illegal to kill a Sri Lankan elephant. The slaying of this animal carries the death penalty in Sri Lanka, although nobody has been executed in the country 1976, so this rule purely stands as ceremony to demonstrate Sri Lanka’s dedication to protecting its native elephant species.
What Efforts Are Being Taken to Protect Endangered Sri Lankan Elephants
The Sri Lankan government has established numerous measures to protect and conserve the Sri Lankan elephant population. These include:
Setting up wildlife reserves to keep elephants away from humans and protect their habitat.
Creating security task forces designed to keep elephants away from potential conflict through the use of flares and noises, deterring them from entering human settlements.
Development of ‘elephant corridors’ - pathways that enable elephants to move freely between reserves and wild habitats away from people.
The introduction of monitored and regulated tourism to increase money supplies for conservation efforts.
Relocation projects that move elephants to less densely populated areas, both in terms of other elephants and humans, to give them maximum chance of access to food and enrichment required for healthy life.
More controlled efforts to eliminate poaching.
Conservation programmes that encourage and facilitate wild breeding herds of Sri Lankan elephants to support the growth of populations.
Investment in fencing and barriers to protect humans and elephants from each other, and reduce incidences of violence on both sides.
Are Efforts Working to Protect Endangered Sri Lankan Elephants?
Yes! Since the biggest push for conversation began during the new millennium, Sri Lankan elephant numbers have seen large increases. The government and people of Sri Lanka have made a concerted effort to protect their beloved elephants, and as of 2020 the population stands at an estimated 7500 Sri Lankan elephants. This is lower than their highest figures, but is still a significant increase on the numbers as low as 1700 that occurred in the 1970s.
With sufficient conservation activity, the elephants of Sri Lanka will continue to thrive, with hopes that they’ll eventually no longer be classified as endangered.
There are still stumbling blocks to cross, with recent high numbers of deaths showing that much work is yet to be done to secure a certain future for these elephants, but with internal programs and outside support from the wildlife-loving community, we may yet see a day where these Sri Lankan elephants are no longer classed as endangered.
