Sri Lankan wildlife: Record-setting bull Kavantissa dies after leg wound

Kavantissa, the tallest living male elephant in Sri Lanka, died on October 16 following a gunshot wound to his right leg. The animal, estimated to be about 45 years old, stood approximately 3.3 meters high and weighed around 5,500 kilograms.

Villagers in the northwest community of Galgamuwa first noticed the tusker limping in late September. A closer inspection revealed the bullet hole in his leg. Veterinary surgeons attempted to treat the wound, but the injury proved fatal.

Sri Lanka holds roughly 10% of the world's Asian elephant population, giving it the highest density of the species anywhere. The Department of Wildlife Conservation counted an estimated 7,451 wild elephants in 2024. Approximately 70% of these animals live outside protected areas.

Conflicts between humans and elephants result in high casualties on the island. Official figures indicate an average of 370 elephants and 125 people have died annually in such incidents since 2019. These encounters typically occur when elephants enter farmland to feed, as each animal requires about 150 kilograms of green matter daily.

Ravi Corea, president of the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society, identified habitat loss and agricultural expansion as primary drivers of the conflict. He noted that rural populations have grown from 8.25 million in 1960 to 17.8 million in 2020, increasing pressure on available land. Corea stated that the 2020 national action plan requires a comprehensive conservation strategy with enforceable habitat protection to lower these numbers.

Non-governmental organizations have implemented specific programs to mitigate these clashes. In the Wasgamuwa region, Project Orange Elephant encourages farmers to plant citrus trees, which elephants tend to avoid. This method reduces crop raiding while providing farmers with an additional income stream. Electric fencing is also used to protect settlements and fields.

A bus service known as EleFriendly transports schoolchildren through elephant corridors in the same region. This service has reduced dangerous encounters along its original route by more than 90%. Kamal Shashendra, an environmental ethics researcher based in Sri Lanka, argued that solutions must simultaneously protect human livelihoods and elephant populations. He recommended scientifically informed land-use planning, protected corridors, and fair compensation for affected families.