“Kavantissa was like an 80-year-old human”: Wildlife DG defends protection efforts

Kavantissa, an iconic wild tusker in Sri Lanka, died on October 16 after receiving treatment for several weeks for a gunshot injury, according to Newswire. Reports describe the death as prompting questions about the circumstances and responsibility for the shooting.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa called for a comprehensive, independent investigation involving local and foreign experts. The Daily Mirror reported his specific appeal for foreign specialists to assist with the post-mortem. Newswire said the Department of Wildlife Conservation planned to seek a court order on October 17 to conduct the examination with an expert team.

At a meeting with conservationists, civil society representatives and other stakeholders on October 18, Premadasa also proposed constitutional amendments that would make the rights of wildlife, plants, biodiversity and the environment enforceable as fundamental rights. He argued that existing environmental provisions do not offer equivalent court remedies. He said he would raise questions in Parliament about Kavantissa’s test results, post-mortem, veterinary care and the wildlife authorities’ response.

Premadasa also proposed an elephant hospital, an emergency veterinary response team, a special unit to protect prominent tuskers including Mahasen and Agbo, and a national elephant database drawing on researchers, photographers and conservationists. He called for scientifically based land-use planning to protect elephant habitats and migration routes; the available report ends before completing this point.

Other reports reflect differing perspectives on elephant protection. Newswire said Wildlife Conservation Director General Ranjan Marasinghe defended the department’s efforts, while a former veterinary officer cited the difficulty and risks of treating a wild elephant weighing four to five tonnes. A Tamil-language Ada Derana report said environmental activist Nayanaka Ranwella characterized Kavantissa’s death as a killing rather than a natural death.

Written automatically by AI from the outlets’ own reports, and not reviewed by an editor. It can be wrong — the original report is the authority.