- Note that the above image is AI generated
A shocking act of cruelty against a wild elephant has triggered a joint operation involving wildlife officers and Army intelligence, as authorities race to arrest the suspect and bring justice to one of Sri Lanka’s most disturbing wildlife crimes in recent times.
Officers attached to the Anuradhapura Wildlife Sanctuary have launched an investigation into a video that surfaced showing a man burning a wild elephant in the Ambagahawala area of Seeppukulam in Mihintale. The footage has sparked public outrage and renewed concern over the safety of wild elephants in the region.
The Department of Wildlife Conservation confirmed that details surrounding the death of the wild elephant will be reported to court today, the 17th. In an official statement, the department said the suspect responsible for burning the elephant has not yet been arrested.
Wildlife officers at the Anuradhapura Sanctuary, including sanctuary guards, are continuing investigations in collaboration with officers from the Army Intelligence Service to locate and arrest the suspect. Authorities confirmed that the individual involved is a 17 year old male.
According to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the male wild elephant, measuring approximately 50 to 55 inches and standing about nine feet tall, had been previously treated for a gunshot wound to its front left leg. Veterinary officers from the Pandulagama Veterinary Office provided treatment on 2025.05.14, 2025.06.04, and 2025.07.03 after the elephant was first identified in the area with injuries.
Since those treatments, there had been no confirmed sightings of the elephant, although wildlife officers in Anuradhapura continued monitoring the area. The elephant that died yesterday, the 16th, was later found lying on private land in Ambagahawala with both burn injuries and gunshot wounds.
Following notification by Anuradhapura wildlife officers, Pandulagama Veterinary Officer Ms. Udeshika Madhuwanthi and other officials arrived at the location and attempted emergency treatment. Despite these efforts, the wild elephant succumbed to its injuries.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing, and legal action will be pursued to the fullest extent under wildlife protection laws.
