Fourteen humans, 74 elephants killed in conflict so far this year

By Ifham Nizam

The human-elephant conflict has left 14 humans and 74 pachyderms dead so far this year, according to the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

The highest number of elephant deaths were reported from Anuradhapura 18, Eastern Region 18 and Polonnaruwa 15.

Sri Lanka is said to have the highest density of elephants in the world. Conflict between humans and elephants is an ongoing problem leading to the deaths of 145 people and 433 elephants, last year alone.

The Wildlife Department is in the process of giving compensation to people to be evicted from around 16 elephant corridors, countrywide. It is confident that it will be able to clear the 16 corridors this year.