Sri Lanka to deploy military units to protect endangered wild elephants

Newswire reports that the government decided on a coordinated national effort by wildlife officials and the three armed services to improve protection for wild elephants and reduce encounters between elephants and people. Lankadeepa and Ada Derana also report a joint initiative involving the armed forces. Daily Mirror reports that the Wildlife Conservation Department will train military personnel in elephant behaviour and field handling.

Newswire reports that the proposal was discussed on October 23 at the Environment Ministry, at a meeting led by Environment Minister Dr. Dhammika Patabendi and Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody. Participants included Army Commander Lt. Gen. K. V. Nilantha P. Premaratne, wildlife officials, representatives of military intelligence and drone operations, and environmental groups including Wild Tusker.

Newswire reports that officials plan to set up a coordinating centre at Army Headquarters staffed by wildlife officers, veterinarians and armed forces personnel. It also reports that army teams will track and guard selected tuskers in high-risk locations, especially where illegal activity threatens elephants. Newsfirst reports that teams are assigned to protect 13 elephants living near villages, starting October 24; the environment minister said the programme would later be widened.

Newswire reports that the initiative is intended to strengthen prevention of elephant killings, the use of explosive bait called hakka patas and other wildlife offences. It also includes more joint urgent operations in areas affected by human-elephant conflict and development of an intelligence network to detect threats. Newswire reports that the meeting considered limiting crowds near sick or injured elephants and expanding conservation awareness among communities. Newswire also reports that wildlife officers will be offered accommodation and access to facilities at military camps.

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.