Web of Life

This incident had been brought to the notice of the Community Development and Estate infrastructure Deputy Minister S.M. Chandrasena. The Deputy Minister who visited the swamp in Meegaswewa area had observed that the people in the area were dedicated in providing food for the animal with their children fetching water in cans to prevent it from dying of hunger and dehydration. People complained to the Deputy Minister that wildlife offices had neglected their duties having come only twice to see the animal.

The Deputy Minister said he would promptly inform the Wild Life and Environment Minister Fowzei of this matter.

On inquiry, Assistant director of wild life, Wayamba zone Manjula Amararatne said that the wild life department had come to know about the she elephant which was in an irremediable condition for the first time on June 26 and veterinary surgeons had gone there and treated the animal. “Vet surgeons informed me that the condition of the cow elephant was critical and that she would die within two or three days. Since almost all the wild life officers were busy in Mahawa area tracking deadly wild elephants, it had not been possible to treat the cow elephant properly, he said.