In Elephant Update –2, I made a request to those who were interested in receiving future issues of the newsletter to inform me. The response has been very good. In addition to the request to continue to send them future issues. I have also had a number of offers to assist in elephant conservation work. Some even sent donations to help meet our running costs. I am indeed thankful to all of them.

I sent out a small note requesting details from those who wanted to get involved in our conservation efforts. So far the response has been very good. We have held a meeting and worked out plans, some of which are already underway. Details of these efforts are given under different headings below.

1. MEETING WITH H.E. THE PRERSIDENT

I was granted an interview with Her Excellency the President on 6th August. 1999, and I briefed her on the situation with regard to wildlife conservation in general and elephant conservation in particular. I also briefed her on the 1998 Symposium and its outcome. I informed her that the Biodiversity & Elephant Conservation Trust was formed as a result of the need for a body to carry out some of the recommendations made by the participants at that Symposium. I also gave her the 11 proposals that were formulated, based on the symposium participant’s suggestions and which were carried in the first Elephant Update. I explained to Her Excellency what these proposals entailed and the benefits that would accrue to the conservation effort, if they were implemented.

Her Excellency was very interested in the current situation vis a vis wildlife conservation and promised to look at our proposals and see how they could be implemented. She was also due to meet the Minister in charge of wildlife conservation, the Hon. Ratnasiri Wickremanayake and senior officials of the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

2. AWARDS CEREMONY

There are a number of people in Sri Lank who have done a lot of work for wildlife conservation. The valuable services that they have rendered have mainly gone unnoticed and unrecognised. The Biodiversity & Elephant Conservation Trust thought it fit that these persons should be recognised and rewarded. A panel of judges met to choose two recipients for the Conservation Award for the years 1998 and 1999.

They chose Mr. Ainsley (A.B.) Fernando for the Conservation Award for 1998 and Mr. Christy Wickremasinghe for 1999. Both these gentlemen have worked for a long time with the Department of Wildlife Conservation and are now in retirement.

The Director General of the World Conservation union (IUCN) sent a citation to Mr. A. B. Fernando, while the Director General of the WorldWide Fund for Nature (WWF) sent one to Mr. Christy Wickremasinghe. These citations were read out and presented to Messrs. Wickremasinghe and Fernando. Each winner was presented with a Gold Medal donated by Ms Otara Chandiram of Odels.

The Awards Ceremony was held on 20th May 1999 at the Russian Centre, Colombo. Dr. Vernon Mendis a senior diplomat was the Chief Guest. Mr. Rohan Pethiyagoda made a very interesting and informative presentation on the biodiversity of Sri Lanka.

1. WALK FOR ELEPHANT CONSERVATION

The Rotary Club of Mount Lavinia organised a Sponsored Walk for Elephant Conservation the proceeds of which were to be given to the Biodiversity & Elephant Conservation Trust for its projects and programmes. Despite a heavy downpour on that day, many turned up and joined in the walk. An elephant, kindly lent by the Rev Galaboda Gnanissara of the Gangaramaya temple, also took part. The Rotary Club has completed its accounts and sent us Rs 100,000/- being the collection.

2. SCHOOLS AWARENESS PROGRAMME

The Schools Awareness programme has proved very popular and useful to the children. It is proposed in the New Year to have more than one group of volunteers visiting the schools and conducting sessions. This will help to cover all the chosen schools faster. This would have a greater impact on the Elephant Conservation effect.

We also hope to give the children publications on natural history subjects, in Sinhala. We are looking for donations to help us translate and publish suitable books. With the sessions we hold we have encouraged each school to form a nature club. We have told them how to set about it. However, I feel that we should visit these schools again and give them the guidance they need to start off and have the club functioning effectively.

A meeting of those who had responded to my letter indicating their interest in getting involved in elephants conservation work, was held at the Mahaweli Centre on 18^th September 1999. Over 40 persons attended the meeting. The photo cataloguing project, the updating of the elephant distribution map, a campaign to create an awareness on the urgent need for action to mitigate the escalating human-elephant conflict, which is causing the deaths of both humans and elephants were discussed. If anyone else is interested in attending these meetings in the future please contact me.

At the meeting it was decided that all those who are concerned about the deteriorating status of wildlife conservation in general and elephant conservation in particular, should start a campaign to continuously write letters to the policy makers and implementing agencies. These letters should point out the shortcomings in the different areas of conservation and urge the authorities to take action. We must persuade the Government and the Department of Wildlife Conservation to do everything that is necessary for elephant conservation in this country. Conservation issues should be highlighted in the media.

Everyone at the meeting was encouraged to write and express his or her concerns. The names and addresses of the persons to whom you should write were also given. Gehan Rajapakse has undertaken to co-ordinate the publicity campaign. You may send your letters direct to the newspapers. However please send Gehan a copy as well.

As you know there are many records/publications regarding wild elephants, their capture, taming, export etc. We hope to document these as a publication on elephant management and conservation in the past. Past issues of Loris, Administration Reports of the Directors of the Wildlife Department and other documents have much useful material. We need volunteers to extract the data.

Ms Manel Tampoe, who has agreed to collect material from past issues of Loris, needs assistance. If there is anyone who would like to assist her, please contact her. Since this is a big undertaking she will appreciate all the assistance that she can get. If anyone has access to old records, publications, books etc. please get in touch with me.

There are many persons who have considerable experience in wildlife management and elephant conservation. We intend interviewing such persons and recording their experiences. Their experience will be published. For a start Ms Rupa Simithiarachchi will interview Mr. Christy Wickremasinghe, retired Wildlife Ranger while Ms Manel Jayamanne has agreed to interview Mr. B.B. Jayasekere a well know elephant trapper and owner. He has much experience in the capture, training and management of elephants.

We have been able to get sponsors for two of the posters that we intend putting out. Lanka Bell will sponsor the poster in Sinhala and English, designed to educate the school children about elephants. The other poster, designed to prevent the purchase of ivory products and thus save our tuskers from poachers, is sponsored by the Columbus Zoo in the United States especially Harry Peachy. We intend putting out some more posters on elephant conservation. Please let us have your ideas for posters and sponsorship.

Young Asia TV have agreed to our request to help make a video film on elephants for use in the Schools Awareness Programme. This will be an educational film on elephants for children between the age 8-15 years. The film will be in all three languages.

1. TRAINING OF VETERINARIANS

As most of you are aware, instances of human-elephant conflicts are on the increase in various parts of the country. The conflict has brought injury and death to both humans and elephants. There are constant reports of dead elephants lying in various parts of the country and also of elephants that have been injured. These injuries are mainly gunshot wounds caused by irate villagers who have shot at crop raiding elephants. Injuries are also caused by trap guns laid for smaller animals by hunters along the jungle paths. There are also, to a lesser degree, injuries caused to tuskers by poachers attempting to get at their ivory.

The requests for veterinary services to treat such injured elephants may come from different parts of the island at the same time. This puts a lot of pressure on the inadequate veterinary staff of the Department of Wildlife Conservation. As a result it may not be possible to procure the veterinary services to the injured elephant in time. This may lead not only to the death of the elephant, but may also increase the criticism that is directed at the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC).

The Biodiversity & Elephant Conservation Trust organised a training programme for veterinary staff of the Department of Animal Production and Health in the treatment of elephants. The trainers were from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Peradeniya and included an expert from India and two from Thailand along with another veterinarian from Denmark. The programme was conducted at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage from 27 to 31 October 1999. This training will now enable them, if there were a delay on the part of the DWLC veterinary surgeon getting to any injured animal on time, to treat the elephant immediately.

 

2. ELECTRIC FENCE

The President of the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society, based in New York, Mr. Ravi Corea has obtained funds to erect an electric fence round an area that is subject to the depredations by elephants. After looking at many locations and having many discussions with Charles Santiapillai and Jayantha Jayewardene, it was decided to erect this fence around the village of Pusselyaya, which is very close to the southern boundary of the Wasgomuwa National Park. Elephants from the Wasgomuwa NP come regularly to this village and cause damage to crops, houses and the people. They also cause a lot of trouble in the adjacent villages but Pusselyaya was the worst affected. Permission was obtained from the Department of Wildlife Conservation for this project.

We initially met a large gathering of the villagers at the temple and explained to them what we intended doing. The villagers were very pleased that at last some effort was being made to reduce the suffering that they had been subject to for a long time. On their part, the villagers agreed to give up small portions of their land through which the fence line would go. In addition they were told that they would have to clear the fence line of all shrub and other growth. They would also have to help to dig the holes and erect the fence posts. A local contractor would make the fence posts. The villagers helped to construct the Control Room. Messrs. Maharajas, the local agents for Gallagher in New Zealand, are erecting the fence. The villagers will sign a Memorandum of Understanding, which incorporates the above obligations. They will also maintain the fence in the future.

In order to promote the conservation and management of elephants, a research project based on radio telemetry was initiated in southern Sri Lanka. The project was launched in 1995, through placement of radio collars on five elephants in and around the Ruhuna National Park (RNP). Subsequently, two more animals were collared in RNP and another three in and around Lunugamvehera National Park. In addition to tracking the collared animals through radio-telemetry, the project involved collection of ecological data, application of dung counts to estimate elephant density, and the collection of data on human-elephant conflict (HEC). Photographic cataloguing of individually identified animals was initiated prior to the project, and was continued to provide information on the population structure and social organization of elephants in RNP. A parallel project was initiated in the northwestern region in 1997, with the radio collaring of a further 8 elephants. The findings of the project were presented to the Department of Wildlife Conservation at a recent workshop, a summary of which is presented below.

In contrast to previously held views, we found that elephants in Sri Lanka do not have separate wet and dry season ranges and that they do not undertake seasonal long distance migrations. This pattern of ranging has since been confirmed by the northwestern study (Dr. Devaka Weerakoon, pers. com.). Female groups were found to have small well-defined home ranges 30 to 140 sq. km. in extent, to which they showed a high degree of fidelity (they keep to the same area year after year). Therefore, unlike in southern India where some female groups may have ranges in excess of 500 sq. km., management of elephants in a fragmented landscape is a possibility in Sri Lanka.

Males were found to occupy very small ranges over much of the year, but to dramatically increase their range during the 'musth' period of about two months, moving over an area almost four times their normal range in the rest of the year. Such widespread ranging in the mush period is likely to be related to reproductive activity and important in preventing inbreeding. Therefore, management of males needs to leave provision for such dispersal.

In addition to the differences in ranging patterns of females and males, the ranging of females was much more restricted by management measures such as electric fences. While most instances of crop raiding and conflict with humans in the southern area were attributable to males, they often circumvented and breached fences. Thus, the management of elephants needs to consider the differences in ranging and impacts of management measures on males and females.

Elephants were not restricted to Protected areas (PA) and the administrative boundaries of PAs in many cases did not coincide with the ecological boundaries for elephants. Elephant use of habitat suggested that traditional chena or slash and burn cultivation in unofficial ‘buffer zones’ of PAs created good habitat for elephants. In contrast, irrigated agriculture created an environment incompatible with the presence of elephants in non-conservation areas, and the 'non-intervention' management of habitat within PAs encouraged a secondary climax of mature scrub (which is sub-optimal for elephants) within conservation areas.

These findings suggest that a ‘landscape’ approach to elephant management is required if we are to conserve elephants in Sri Lanka, with special emphasis on the management of elephants in non-conservation areas to enable continued utilization of such areas by elephants. In addition, habitat management within selected PAs would enable increasing the carrying capacity of such areas, thus enable the accommodation of greater elephant numbers.

A team including Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando, Dr. Eric Wickramanayake, PROF. S. W. Kotagama, Manori Gunawardene, P. D. Kulatunga, L. K. A. Jayasinghe, and H. K. Janaka conducted the radio tracking study. Nimal Kaluarachchi and G. V. Gunawardene provided counterpart support from the DWLC. We sadly remember the untimely death of G. V. Gunawardene in the line of duty as a game guard in the DWLC, killed by an elephant he was attempting to save. Officers of the Dept. of Veterinary Science, Peradeniya University, and DWLC officials did the collaring of the animals, with advice from Mr. Ajay Desai. The project was funded by the Global Environmental Facility through the Dept. of Wildlife Conservation, and administered through the Open University Sri Lanka. Since the end of the project in March 1999, MOTOROLA Sri Lanka funded the project for a further three months through the Biodiversity and Elephant Conservation Trust. Currently, we are in search of funding to continue our research activities.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Public Administration formed a committee to evolve a policy for elephant conservation in Sri Lanka. This committee met a number of times, often under the chairmanship of the Secretary. Later the committee was reduced to Dr Devaka Weerakoon, Mr. Sunil Liyanage and Jayantha Jayewardene. The report of the committee has been given to the Secretary to be given to the Minister who will place it before the Cabinet of Ministers.

Given below are the policies that have been suggested by the committee in its report.

0. SET UP A TASK FORCE FOR ELEPHANT CONSERVATION

If any plans that are to be made to conserve the elephants in Sri Lanka are to be effective, it is necessary that these plans be formulated by a competent body of persons independent of prejudices and petty politics. Therefore it is suggested that a Task Force be appointed to go into the question of managing and conserving the elephant populations, both tame and wild. This Task Force should be given all the authority to work out a Master Plan for the Management & Conservation of the elephant in Sri Lanka. These plans have to be based on new policies and must have an effective implementation strategy.

The Task Force should be given the overall task of (a) taking an overview of the present status with regard to elephant conservation in the country (b) propose a comprehensive plan, with priorities, to conserve the elephant in Sri Lanka for at least the next 50 years and (c) work an implementation schedule for the above plan, with time scales and budgets.

The Task Force should not have more than five (5) competent persons. Each person should be able to assist the Task Force in special areas such as biology, forestry, social needs of the people, expertise on elephants etc. The Task Force should be given terms of reference and a time scale on which they should base their work and report.

The Task Force should co-opt a few selected officers of the DWLC, who will ultimately take over the long-term planning and monitoring of the proposed action plan.

2. PREVENT FURTHER DEGRADATION AND ADEQUATE PROTECTION OF THE REMAINING ELEPHANT HABITATS

Due to a number of reasons the habitats of the elephants have been degraded and continue to be degraded. Improper and illegal land use, ad hoc development etc. are some of the reasons that have brought about this state. Degraded habitats are a serious set back for elephant conservation in that not only do they reduce the availability of food and water but they also lead the elephants to conflicts with humans. This happens when the elephants go outside the forests in search of food. The lack of sufficient food also affects the breeding potential of the elephants.

 

3. INTEGRATE PROTECTED AREAS WHEREVER POSSIBLE TO ESTABLISH A PROTECTED AREA NETWORK

Sri Lanka was the first to suggest jungle corridors to link up the habitats of the elephants to facilitate their movements seasonally. These corridors are also important links that ensure the flow of genes to and fro to ensure that there is no inbreeding.

Unfortunately for some reason or other many of the corridors that were planned, after studying the movement of elephants carefully, have not been established. It is not too late even now to establish some of these corridors to facilitate the movement of elephants, especially the males that go in search of females from other herds to mate with.

Since some elephants live in protected areas outside the purview of the DWLC, it is necessary to follow an integrated approach to protected area management. To achieve this the DWLC should get the assistance of other state agencies, NGOs and local communities. Such strategies have not been adopted and other state agencies have not been adequately supportive of the DWLC on elephant conservation efforts.

The proposed strategy of increasing the protected areas and developing corridors will not ensure the conservation of the elephant unless the DWLC meets the basic needs of the poor local communities living in the buffer zones. The lack of a proper land use policy and zonation has negated the objectives of development and the best utilisation of land in and around the PAs.

Training is a very important aspect of good management, Therefore there should be a policy geared to the proper training and upgrading of skills of all grades of staff of the Department. The policy should also be to improve the knowledge and management skills of the staff of the Department of Wildlife Conservation. This training should be both in-service and in outside training facilities. It is also necessary to improve the skills, knowledge and welfare of the guard force and minor staff.

The involvement of the communities that live in and around elephant habitats, in elephant conservation is of vital importance if any conservation efforts are to succeed. The community must be able to derive tangible benefits for themselves from the presence of elephants, rather than the elephant depredations affecting them adversely. Basically the community must be protected from the elephants and the elephants protected by the community. Policies that enable the communities to air their views and ideas at the planning stage and also participate in implementation are necessary.

A Trust Fund to quickly compensate farmers and villagers, who are affected by the depredations of elephants, is necessary. This fund must be independent of the bureaucratic delays that have made past and present compensation schemes ineffective. The legitimate claims for compensation for elephant damage should be paid promptly & adequately.

In addition the needs of the communities living in and around elephant habitats must be looked in to and suitable policies adopted to cater to these needs.

One of the solutions that are now employed when complaints are received by the DWLC regarding rogue or troublesome elephants is to tranquilise them and re locate them in another place generally, a National Park. Many feel that this is no real solution to the problem and that this elephant would continue to cause trouble in its new location. This might even lead to the death of the elephant in the hands of the villagers protecting their houses, crops and lives.

An alternative strategy that could be considered is to identify the troublesome elephants, by competent persons, and capture them. Once these elephants are tamed they can be sold or presented to temples or private individuals, who primarily, should be found competent to own and manage a tame elephant.

The domestic or tame elephant population in this country is dwindling rapidly. This is mainly because most of these elephants are old and there is no replenishment of their numbers from the wild except those introduced to the Pinnawela Orphanage and now to the Uda WalaweTransit Home. The government has banned the capture of elephants for domestication since it is felt that this action would construe a danger to the numbers in the wild.

Up to now the welfare and protection of captive elephants has not been adequately catered for either by the law or by the policies of succeeding governments. It has to be decided under which ministry and department tame or domestic elephants should be. Neither the Ministry of Livestock with its Department of Animal Production and Health nor the Ministry of Plantation Industries with its Department of Wildlife Conservation is totally responsible for the tame elephants in this country.

At present the staffing arrangements of the DWLC show excess at the Head Office in Colombo. It may be necessary to de-centralise the DWLC by shifting resources away from the Head Office to the regions where the elephants are and conflicts occur and where the staff could be more effective. At present there are 112 officers based in Colombo, with many vehicles. In the field, the officers are given an inadequate fuel allowance, unreliable vehicles, and are burdened with trivial assignments.

Ideally, the Director of DWLC should be a Biologist. If this is not possible a strong Advisory Committee composed of the following should back the Director: -

2. Forester

3. An experienced Park Manager (from DWLC)

4. A representative from a credible NGO

5. A social scientist

6. A lawyer

7. 7. A representative of the IGP
8. 8. A specialist on Mahaweli Project
9. 9.An experienced Veterinarian

Data and information are prerequisites for the formulation of any plan for management. Without this all plans and strategies will fail and in some instances be counter productive. It is therefore very necessary to gather all relevant data and information especially in respect of populations, behavior, seasonal movements, home ranges etc. This data must be accurate and collected centrally and be available not only to the DWLCs planners but also to students, researchers and to anyone who is interested.

Without reliable data and information different sources throw up different information which gives rise to different assumptions and results. For example the elephant population in this country has estimates varying from 1,500 to 6,000. This alone would make objective planning very difficult.

In the 1960s and the early 1970s much research was conducted on various aspects of the elephant in this country but now there is very little research being done. This is mainly due to the disinterest and ineptitude of a succession of Heads of the DWLC. Funding for research has always been available and still is available. India, which did no research at that time, is way ahead of us now and in fact is now sending their experts to advise us.

Research is a very important aspect of elephant conservation since it enables us to get to know many vital aspects of the elephant especially its biology, population ecology, ranging patterns and natural mortality. An understanding of these factors will help us in our conservation planning. We still have much to find out about the home rangers of elephant populations, their breeding habits, food preferences etc.

With the importance that research has to elephant management and conservation, it is absolutely vital that we have well planned out research programmes in the future.

Since there is no DWLC monitoring programme, is suggested that research should also provide for the continuous monitoring of all the present management strategies employed by the DWLC in order to evaluate the effectiveness of these actions. The unit of officers formed by the Task Force will carry out the planning and monitoring as proposed.

1. PHOTO CATALOGUING PROJECT:

The photo-cataloguing project was discussed at the last meeting and Manouri Goonewardene, who will be leading this project, outlined what should be done. Anyone who can take photographs can join this project. All you have to do is to take photographs of elephants (individuals and groups) when you go to the jungles. The date, time, location and special features of the elephants should be recorded. These are only the basic details, but you may record any other details you wish. Manouri handed out a format, which you could use or modify to suit your needs. Please send the photographs that you take with the details and references clearly marked. The photographs can either be sent to her direct or to me and I will pass them onto her.

All elephant management and conservation plans at present are based on an elephant distribution map done by Olivier in the 1970s. This map has to be revised. We can help by gathering information on the siting of elephants in various parts of the country, including the protected areas.

As in the photo-cataloguing project we need to have the date and location, with the number of elephants that you observe. If you can give details of the males, females and young in the group it would be more helpful. The details of number and location should be as accurate as possible. You could also give more details about siting of dung and other signs such as footprints that you observe.

If you have a GPS it would be very helpful but even otherwise you can certainly help with the details requested above. Please send these details to Manouri and/or me. We will arrange to put them into a computerised distribution map. If there is anyone you know who can help us with the computerising please let me know.

Minneriya –Giritale – 15.10.98 to 16.10.98

Kaudulla Tank 15.10.98 – Four lone males, one juvenile tusker sadly with one tusk. Two adult females were seen but the herds did not come out as the resident fishermen had set fire to the grass and we drove through a smoke screen. Only seven elephants for the day.

Minneriya Tank – 16.10.98 – Till 5.40 pm we saw only a large lone male and a group of four elephants. Then reachi9ng the tank bed we met the group. Thirty four in all made up of 15 females, 8 sub adults, 7 juveniles and 4 calves.

Yala National Park – 21.1.99 to 24.1.99

Elephant sightings 22. Two large tuskers Mahasen & Tilak. The elephants were in good condition and one tusker Tilak was in musth.

Yala National Park – 10.3.99 to 14.3.99

Elephant sightings 106, Tusker Gemunu was seen attempting to mate several times. No doubt will be driven out of his parent herd before my next visit.

Minneriya National Park - 14.5.99

It was a lovely gathering of the herds. Ninety three in all made up of four groups that came together in one large gathering of elephants. Several calves, nearly twenty of them. Seven large adult males patrolled the group looking for receptive females. Two sub adult tuskers were in the group.

Uda Walawe National Park – 3.6.99

Just one evening round in the park. Elephant sightings over sixty five. One herd of sixteen and five small babies. Others were mainly adult males and sub adults. Thirteen were under ten years of age. Twelve large lone males were seen. No tuskers.

Yala National Park – 4.6.99 to7.6.99

Only 18 sightings of elephants. Mostly lone males. One herd of eight made up of two adults, two sub adults, two juveniles and two little babies. This I believe is a new herd after the break up of a larger herd. This herd is likely to be mad up of two sisters and their offspring.

One large tusker was seen early morning, very apprehensive and ran off before we were able to study his features.

AGE GROUP COMPOSITION OF ELEPHANTS IN MINNERIYA NP

Method – Large aggregations in the grassy plains of the catchment of the Minneriya reservoir were counted and classified visually. Elephants were counted only at one point. Four counts were taken between the period from 21.5.1999 to 14.07.1999.

Results – Numbers of animals and percentages of each group are given in the table.

We would like as many of you to please send us the details of your elephant sightings when you go out. Not only in the National Parks but outside as well. Please try and give us as much detail as possible. Pass on details of this project on to any others who may be interested in helping.

5. Field Report No 3 – Mr. S. Rajeeshan

Status of Elephants - Trincomalee District An overview with personal experiences.

By Shanmugalingam Rajeeshan

Prior to 1983, the jungles in the Trincomalee district were dense with huge valuable trees and shrubs and wild animals. Such jungles with valuable blessings of fauna and flora existed in places like Kanniya, Andankulam, Monkey Bridge (named during the British era), Thampalagamam. Gomarankadawela, Morawewa, Mutur, Seruwila and Kantale.

The elephants inhabiting these jungles had plenty of food and water (from tanks within the jungle) and lived without hindrance from man. That is there were almost no human-elephant conflicts. This situation did not last for too long. The security situation in the North and East after 1983 changed everything. The thick jungles with a dense population of wildlife had to be cleared for security reasons. The government created human settlements in the areas that were cleared. The elephants and other wild animals were under threat of destruction. The continuity of the jungle was broken into segments thus breaking up the elephant population as well. Human settlements and human induced disturbances surrounded each patch of jungle. Since the segmented habitats were limited in size, the elephants began entering the human settlements in search of food and water. This was the start of the human-elephant conflicts. The availability of food, which they now preferred, and water in the nearby villagers continued to draw the elephants to the settlements.

About five years ago there was a request to clear 150 meters on either side of the Trincomalee-Habarana Road. Once the request was approved, the Forest Department marked the boundaries of the area to be cleared and also all the trees of commercial value. Then the Timber Corporation employed contractors to clear the area and fell the trees. A month ago a certain area had been burnt. This was also following a request by the Army to clear up to 500 meters, on either side of the road, including the 150 already done. Anyone travelling on the Trinco-Habarana road can see the extent to which the jungle has been cleared. You can also see herds of elephants along the roadside or crossing the road.

The usual routes and corridors of the elephants have been blocked by the new settlements. The loss and reduction of elephant habitats has become a serious problem during the past 15 years. In order to drive the elephants away from their settlements and plantations, the civilians and forces (army as well as the terrorists hiding in the jungle) make some efforts such as making loud noises, erecting electrified fences and even killing the elephants. Most of the elephant deaths in the Trincomalee district are due to gunshots. In addition the poachers are on the rampage mercilessly gunning down elephants in their quest for ivory.

At present the exact number of elephants or their population structure, group size of herds etc. are not fully known. There have been no surveys or systematic studies done in the past.

There are many areas, which were the habitat of the elephants in the past but are now with human settlement become intense human-elephant conflict areas. Such as:

1. Kappalthurai – 7 miles from Trincomalee town. A new settlement started after the 1990s
2. Thampalagamam – 13 miles from Trincomalee town. During cultivation time there is conflict
3. Mutur – During cultivation time, there is conflict between man and elephant.
4. Allaikantale – Seruwila – Kantale area
5. Morawewa
6. Gomarankadawela
7. Kanniya
8. Sampaltheevu – Nilaveli area.

I would like to share some of the experiences that I had at Sampaltheevu – Aththimodai where there is now high intensity human-elephant conflict.

A herd of four to six elephants, including a young one and a loner from the Iluppankulam jungle area swooped down to the Aththimodai-Sampaltheevu area in search of food and water, which was in short supply due to the prevailing drought. Usually these elephants come to Iluppankulam from the Kanniya jungles in search of food. From there they proceed a little further and crossing the Trincomalee-Nilaveli road enter into the villages such as Aaththimodai, Sampaltheevu etc. On their way they cause damage to property and plantations. They proceed to the Mankangi tank and also return through the villages. The frequent visits by elephants to these villages has put heavy pressure on the Wildlife Ranger of the Trincomalee Range to drive the elephants back deeper into the jungles.

In order to keep track of the movement of this herd, the Wildlife Ranger and I went to the Aththimodai – Sampaltheevu area that was about six miles from Trincomalee town, on the 20^th of September. The Wildlife Ranger wanted to see how these elephants could be chased back.

The villagers complained that they were facing threats from the wild elephants, which enter their villages and go on the rampage. A complaint made by the Zonal Director of Education, Trincomalee, states that a severe threat is being faced by the students and teachers of the T/Aaththimodai Tamil Maha Vidyalam even during the daytime. I was made to understand by the villagers that one day the elephants had entered the school and frightened the children away. The school is situated on the route that the elephants take. Now the children come to school along another route, which is longer.

The elephants destroy a variety of perennial and semi perennial crops such as paddy, banana, coconut, palmyrah, mango, jak and vegetables. One villager said that at one time they were self sufficient in coconuts and sold the excess in the market in Trincomalee. However now they are forced to buy coconuts from Trincomalee as wild elephants have destroyed most of the trees. Another villager stated that they used to cultivate peanuts every year but now they could not do any cultivation as elephants destroy the crop.

Inspite of these problems caused by wild elephants most villagers have a sympathetic approach to the species. One lady said ‘ I like the way the mother elephant guides the little one by tapping its back with her trunk’. Another villager said that most of the elephants do not harm them, as they believe in Lord Ganapathi. However he said that the so-called ‘rogue’ elephants were dangerous. ‘An year ago an elephant had fallen into an unprotected garden well and it was saved by the villagers’ said a villager proudly.

When the elephant arrive, however, the villagers are armed with tins and other pieces of metal with which they make a loud noise to drive the elephants away. I must mention that upto now, fortunately for the elephants, the villagers have not been issued with guns.

Whilst searching for elephants we were able to see four of them. Though the Wildlife Ranger had ‘thunder flashes’ and ‘signals’ with him he was unable to use them to chase those elephants away, as that area is a security zone, where explosives cannot be used. If such explosives are to be used, prior permission has to be obtained from the security personnel.

That day we were unsuccessful in the attempt to chase the elephants back into the jungle, as intended. On the 1^st of October 1999 we went once again to that area having obtained the necessary permission from the security personnel. It was a rainy day. We were able to track two elephants and a loner, with the help of the villagers and succeeded in driving the elephants into the nearby jungle. We used charged ‘signals’ and ‘thunder flashes’.

Since our attempt will not solve the villager’s problem permanently, we had to issue them with ‘thunder flashes’ and ‘signals’ to be used when they face such problems again. Unfortunately I now had information that one villager was killed on the 4^th of October 1999. This has made the situation worse.

The elephant population in the Trincomalee district is becoming increasingly fragmented and isolated. With the rapid destruction of the elephants’ habitat and with their migration routes blocked by human settlements and agriculture, elephants began invading the human communities and consuming their crops. Small patches of dense forests, which are surrounded by agricultural lands, have herds of elephants. Since there is no habitat management to improve the feeding opportunities for the elephants, cultivated lands outside the jungle attract the elephants and bring them into conflict with humans. I found crop depredation by elephants was the most common cause for severely increasing conflicts. However more elephants are affected by these conflicts than people are.

1. 1999.01.12 At Kantale Divisional Secretary’s division, near Siththaru palam. Male; age 35 years; 8 feet height. shot and killed

2. 1999.02.23 At Allaikantale. Male; age 45 years; 9 feet height; shot and killed.

3. 1999.03.13 At Sampaltheevu. Tusker (tusks were removed); age 15 years; 6 feet height; Electric shocked and killed

4. 1999.04.08` At Seruwila – Srimangalapura; male; cause of death unknown

5. 1999.04.28 Gomarankadawela – Kalyanapura; female age 30 years; 7feet height; shot and killed

6. 1999.05.22 Kumpikkulam; female; age 6months; 3 feet height; cause of death unknown

7. 1999.07.27 Morawewa, Mahadivulwewa; male; age 8 years; 5 feet height; cause of death

8. 1999.08.13 Near Peramadu tank – Kantale; Male; age 2 ½ years; 6feet height; shot and killed; tail was removed. This elephant had stayed near the tank area with severe injuries. According to the veterinary Surgeon the elephant cold have been saved if somebody had informed him in time.

9. 1999.08.19 near Morawewa tank; Tusker; tusks and tail had been removed; age 8 years; 8 feet height; shot and killed. A team went with a squad of security personnel, walking through two miles of uncleared jungle to witness this incident.

10 1999.08.20 On Seruwila-Kantale road near Suriyapura tank; male; age 25 to 30 years; 8 fete height; shot and killed; tail was removed.

The above information is from the Department of Wildlife Conservation, Trincomalee and my personal records.

Other than these there were more incidents which have not been recorded.

1. Iththikulam- Mutur; This was in February/March this year.
2. 5 deaths, inside the thick jungle areas of Allakantale. This was in May/June this year.
3. Hapatiya off Gomarankadawela. This was in August this year.

These incidents were reported by the villagers who were personally aware of these particular deaths, which have not been recorded due to the security situation prevalent at that time.

Here in the Trincomalee district elephants are killed because they interfere with the settlements ands agriculture. From the death rate of elephants in the Trincomalee district it is clear that the human-elephant conflict situation is serious. The survival of the elephant population of the Trincomalee district thus depends upon the ability to minimise conflicts between people and elephants

• All elephants that come to the areas of conflict should be driven to safety by a protected elephant drive. If the elephant drive is over a long distance the elephants have to be driven through human habitations. This kind of attempt could cause more losses than earlier. The lack of experienced and trained staff and inadequate finances makes drives impractical

• Translocation of elephants atleast the troublesome elephants to proper areas. This also is not easy considering the numbers involved and the limited experienced and trained staff necessary for translocation

• Erecting electrified fences as barriers to prevent the movement of elephants. This also needs adequate finances and maintenance. Whether this option would be a success is uncertain.

• Enrichment of the quality of the habitat to keen the elephants in the jungles without having to wander off in search of food and water. This could be done by planting fodder trees and grasses around the jungle area and water holes to retain the elephants in the jungle.

• The people could be compensated for loss of revenue or even for loss of lives by formulating efficient compensation schemes or an insurance scheme.

• The segmented jungle patches should be connected to one another through forest corridors to make a contiguous habitat

• A programme should be organised to train the settlers or farmers to protect their crops and settlement themselves

• To minimise human-elephant conflicts in the Trincomalee district the Department of Wildlife Conservation should take positive action with the help of the people and other organisations.

The Wildlife Department at present cannot respond adequately to the problems of elephants in the Trincomalee district. Here it must be mentioned that the Department opened its Range Office in Trincomalee only in June 17^th this year.

Before any action is taken to solve the conflicts, the prevailing situation and conditions and the scope of the conflict should be studied. Based on these results ‘action plans’ for short term and long term actions should be prepared

*******

This is a report of a visit made by Messrs Santiapillai and Jayewardene to Poonagala and Mackaldeniya Estates where a group of elephants have been causing serious problems in that area.

This report gives the details the survey that was done and gives a number of options that could be adopted as solutions to this problem.

This is a report of a survey that was carried out by the author to assess the human-elephant conflicts caused by the settlement of people in the Karuwelagaswewa area, which is right in the middle of a path used regularly by elephants.

This is a report on the visits made by the author to the Diyaluma- Koslanda area where there have been constant complaints of depredations by elephants.

Certain actions that the Department of Wildlife Conservation could make to reduce these problems are suggested in this report

This is a report of a survey was conducted by the author, over the course of two years, on some of the tree and shrub species utilised by elephants in the Uda Walawe National Park to find out the degree of utilisation of these species. The findings contained in this report will be useful for certain management decisions to be taken when drawing up plans in the future.

JAYANTHA JAYEWARDENE, MANAGING TRUSTEE, BIODIVERSITY & ELEPHANT CONSERVATION TRUST, 615/32 RAJAGIRIYA GARDENS, NAWALA ROAD, RAJAGIRIYA, SRI LANKA. PHONE 94 1 867902. E-MAIL romalijj @slt.lk