Ailing tusker Kavantissa has died, says Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa

Kavantissa, a well-known wild tusker in Sri Lanka, died on Friday, October 16, after several weeks of veterinary treatment. He was found collapsed in a paddy field in the Siyambalangamuwa wildlife area that morning, around two kilometres from where he had been treated the day before. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa announced his death, according to Newswire.

Wildlife veterinarians had been treating an injury to the elephant’s right front leg from September 24. Reports said the wound, identified as a gunshot injury, had begun to heal, but Kavantissa’s health deteriorated after he stopped eating and became dehydrated. Veterinary teams provided round-the-clock care, and the government sought help from specialists in Thailand, according to Newswire.

The Department of Wildlife Conservation planned to seek a court order on October 17 for a post-mortem. A team including specialists from the University of Peradeniya was expected to examine the remains to establish the cause of death. Environmentalist Nayanaka Ranwella called for an independent examination and an investigation into who was responsible for the shooting, and raised concerns about the treatment the elephant received.

The circumstances of the shooting remain unclear, including when and where it happened and who was responsible. Environment Minister Dammika Patabendi had said in early October that teams were investigating. Newswire also reported concerns from wildlife officers about firearms available to farmers in areas affected by human-elephant conflict, and allegations that some local political leaders had obstructed efforts to act against people responsible for shooting elephants.

Kavantissa was believed to be 50 to 60 years old and about 11 feet tall, with tusks over six feet long. First seen in 2008, he was named in 2015 after the ancient ruler King Kawan Tissa. He roamed the Galgamuwa, Usgala and Siyambalangamuwa areas of Kurunegala District and was a familiar subject for wildlife enthusiasts.