COLOMBO – Wildlife enthusiast Pathum Bandara observed Kavantissa, thought to be the tallest living tusker in Sri Lanka, walking slowly through the area of Galgamuwa on September 20. This region is known for its conflicts between humans and elephants. The next day, Bandara saw that the elephant was limping. Upon closer inspection, he found a gunshot wound on Kavantissa’s right foreleg, near the knee. This discovery was concerning, as an untreated gunshot can lead to infections and serious injuries, which could affect the elephant’s ability to walk, eat, and live.
The Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) sent a team to help Kavantissa. DWC veterinarian Isuru Hewakottage explained that Kavantissa was sedated to allow for cleaning and treating the wound. He received several doses of strong antibiotics and is now being closely monitored. After the treatment, Kavantissa has started to move between small patches of forest and occasionally crosses through human settlements and a known elephant pathway near Galgamuwa.
While the tusker seems to be on the mend, he has shown signs of aggression after the injury, sometimes chasing villagers and wildlife officers. This behavior raises concerns about renewed dangers, including the risk of being shot again, Bandara told Mongabay. Bandara also remembers a younger tusker named Sankha, who was often seen with Kavantissa. Sankha had mobility issues due to a previous gunshot wound and unfortunately died after falling into a pit.
What steps do you think should be taken to protect elephants like Kavantissa?
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Source: Mongabay Animals, by Dilrukshi Handunnetti