Sri Lanka’s majestic elephants are dying at an unprecedented rate, with dozens already lost in 2025 to gunfire, electrocution, and other causes. Wildlife officials warn that unless drastic measures are taken, the country could face the irreversible decline of its most treasured species.
Elephant deaths in Sri Lanka are climbing at an alarming pace, with newly released figures revealing a devastating toll on the nation’s wildlife. The Department of Wildlife Conservation reports that 44 elephants have been shot dead in just the first seven months of 2025, confirming that the deadly trend of gunfire killings remains unchecked.
The crisis mirrors the grim statistics of last year, when 84 elephants were killed by gunfire evidence of the deepening human-elephant conflict and the persistence of illegal hunting.
According to department data, a total of 248 elephants perished in 2024 from various causes. Among these were 38 deaths by electrocution and 13 tragic collisions with trains. The year’s overall elephant death toll reached a staggering 388, underscoring the scale of the crisis.
In response, the Ministry of Environment is preparing a comprehensive action plan aimed at protecting Sri Lanka’s wild elephant population. The initiative includes targeted measures to safeguard famous elephants such as Kavantissa, while addressing the root causes of rising deaths ranging from poaching to habitat encroachment.
Officials caution that without decisive and sustained intervention, the country’s elephant population will continue to decline at a dangerous rate, putting the survival of this keystone species at risk. Conservationists stress that Sri Lanka’s elephants are not just a wildlife asset but a cultural and ecological symbol whose loss would be irreversible.
