A brave rescue mission saved a wild elephant after it was swept away for 20 kilometers in Sri Lanka’s ZD canal. With growing concerns over similar incidents, local advocates call for concrete steps to help elephants escape, reducing risks and streamlining rescue efforts.
A wild elephant that fell into the ZD main canal in Polonnaruwa’s Maduru Oya was successfully rescued after an 11-hour operation, according to Pimburaththewa Wildlife Officers.
The elephant, which had been swept away by the strong current for nearly 20 kilometers, was finally rescued from the Medalama area in Aralangawila. The operation, aided by Aralangawila Police and local residents, successfully brought the animal to safety and later transported it to the Weheragama reserve.
Pimburaththewa Assistant Site Guard S.A. Wickramaratne confirmed that the elephant, approximately forty years old, had ventured into the canal in search of water. It is suspected that the elephant fell into the ZD canal while traveling from the Maduru Oya National Park. Wildlife officials noted that the elephant had previously fallen through the concrete culvert, and it had several gunshot wounds when recovered.
This marks the latest in a series of similar incidents where wild elephants have fallen into the ZD canal, becoming caught in the rapids. Local residents have long called for solutions, suggesting the construction of concrete steps to help the elephants escape the canal more easily.
Representatives from farmers’ organizations and civil society advocates are urging wildlife officials to build these structures to minimize harm to the elephants and ensure faster rescues.
