A total of 208 wild elephant deaths were reported in the Anuradhapura District in a period of two and a half years, Wildlife Ranger M. Rathnasiri said.
He said that 78 wild elephant deaths were reported in 2021, 84 in 2022 and 46 in the first six months of 2023.
This was revealed in a recent meeting held at the Anuradhapura District Secretariat where it was also revealed that 87 humans were killed in Anuradhapura in a period of two and a half years due to the human-elephant conflict.
In 2021, 32 humans were killed in elephant attacks, 37 in 2022 and 18 in the first six months of 2023.
Meanwhile, Anuradhapura District Secretary Janaka Jayasundara said that it has been decided to construct seven new electric fences to cover Anuradhapura Wildlife Zone and Vavuniya Wildlife Zone.
Accordingly, five electric fences will be constructed in the Anuradhapura Wildlife Zone, and its length would be 272 kilometers.
Two new electric fences about 71 kilometers will be installed in the Vavuniya Wildlife Zone.
Mr. Jayasundara said that Rs.88 million have been approved to be released to the construction companies for this purpose.
The District Secretary instructed the officials of the contracting agencies to carry out the construction of the electric fence before the next rainy season.
