making monsters out of the innocent : The Buttala Road Elephants

by Rohan Wijesinha

We create monsters and then we can’t control them.

Joel Coen

In the last few days social and mainstream media have carried videos and pictures of the elephants of the Buttala Road holding up vehicles, and attacking them, in search of food. They always seem to know which vehicles have food, probably by the hesitancy of these drivers to pass them as they stand imposingly across the road. What was once the pastime of two or three males has now extended to a local herd as well – females, juveniles and babies – as they eagerly join in these “highway robberies”.

Who created them?

Despite repeated warnings from the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), people continue to feed wild elephants. This is not just on the Buttala Road, but also on the periphery, and even within, National Parks. The tusker named Gemunu, in the Yala National Park, is a prime example of such irresponsible behaviour. He became notorious as guides and jeep drivers actively approached, and enticed him with secreted food, to ransack their vehicles promising their guests an unforgettable experience. He became an absolute menace. His capture and relocation was even mooted, from within a National Park! Thankfully sense prevailed, for it is humans who are the intruders into these hallowed places, and they are responsible for creating this problem.

The same happens all along the electric fence on the borders of the Uda Walawe National Park despite DWC sign boards placed at frequent intervals along it warning people not to feed the elephants. Fortunately, here, the two species are separated by the deterrent of the fence.

Is this the”Quality Tourism” they speak of?

These unethical acts of wildlife exploitation are encouraged by the Tourism Trade too, both within and outside of protected areas. For proof, watch the multitude of posts on social media as tourists feed elephants along the fence at Uda Walawe, show sensational videos of Gemunu pillaging their vehicles, and even of them approaching the elephants on the Buttala Road to feed them by hand. These are not petting zoos; these are wilderness areas, and the elephants are wild.

A disaster is waiting to happen; a foreign visitor has already lost his life at Habarana when invading the personal space of a wild elephant. During a training programme for safari jeep drivers at the Minneriya National Park, they were asked why they abuse the rules of the Park, and disturb the elephants? Almost unanimously they responded that it was the Tourist Guides who encouraged them to do so, with promises of bigger ‘tips’, and future custom. An elephant ‘charge’ is worth the most!

The tourists cannot be blamed for this; most do not understand the enormity of their actions. Though over 50% of all foreign visitors to this country visit wildlife parks, these are usually for just a matter of a few hours, as part of an itinerary that includes other Sri Lanka’s attractions. The true connoisseur of nature and wildlife will know better and not be a part of such unethical practice. In fact, many who are, or even those who have empathy for other creatures, are appalled at these practices.

It must also here be added that some mainstream media actively encourage people to feed the elephants on the Buttala Road. This not only endangers their lives, and property, but if fed with fruits and other human produce not naturally available to elephants in protected areas, they will develop an appetite for them and actively go seeking their nutrition in human cultivations; exacerbating the already increasing human-elephant conflict.

The true shame, therefore, is with the people of this country; those who only see this country’s natural wonders as objects to be exploited for short-term gain, and not preserved for the long-term health and prosperity of this island Nation. This responsibility lies with ALL those involved; the authorities, the relevant industries, the media and the individuals.

So what of the Buttala Elephants?

The Buttala Road elephant problem was created by people with no understanding or concern for the long –term welfare of these creatures. They are now a problem, and there is a tragedy waiting to happen. It is a credit to these elephants, especially to the mature males, that despite wrecking vehicles they have done no harm to any humans as yet. This they could have easily done as people screamed in panic and jumped out of their vehicles, and even small children ran around in frightened confusion, all within easy reach of these large animals.

So what can be done? These elephants have been conditioned to see people, and the vehicles they travel in, as benefactors; sources of food. They have to be taught the contrary. For this the cooperation, and discipline, of the people is necessary. THEY MUST STOP FEEDING WILD ELEPHANTS. The DWC, and the Police of the area, must patrol this relatively short stretch of road, during daylight hours, to ensure that this does not happen. They may even have to chase these elephants away; making it a negative experience for them. The herd that has recently become accustomed to this ‘feeding’ will soon go elsewhere, as the prime concern of the females will be to keep their young safe. It may take longer to dissuade the males; but the time for action is now before a catastrophe unfolds.

It is reliably learned that in 2022, 433 wild elephants and 145 humans lost their lives due to human –elephant conflict, the highest ever recorded in the last two decades. Do we wish to add to this number?