Wild elephant threat on the rise

Colombo (News1st): Residents of Dambulla and Ampara charge that the number of wild elephants roaming in search of food and water has increased in the recent past.

A wild elephant which was roaming in Meegasweva, Dambulla causing inconveniences to the villagers has been captured by the wildlife officials. The News1st correspondent stated that during the past few days the wild elephant had damaged several houses, shops and crops.

The captured wild elephant has been relocated to safer grounds.

Meanwhile, another wild elephant in Karangawa, Ampara was captured by wildlife officials this morning (November 06). This was following complaints made by the residents of the area. According to a wildlife official, the wild elephant will be transferred to the Horowpathana elephant conservation center.

Further, a baby elephant which trapped inside a well in Thanthirimale, Anuradhapura was rescued by wildlife officials yesterday (November 05).

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Wild elephant captured in Aselapura

Colombo (News1st): Wildlife officials have captured a wild elephant who was roaming in Aselapura last evening (October 15).

Officers stated the elephant who had been roaming around the villages of Aselapura and Welikanda was also reponsible for the deaths of four individuals.

The News1st correspondent in the area said that an operation was carried out for over three days to capture this wild elephant. Wildlife Officials from Welikanda, Ampara, Polonaruwa and Giritale took part in the operation.

Steps have been taken to relocate the elephant to the Horowpathana Elephant Sanctuary.

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Wild elephant captured in Aselapura

Colombo (News1st): Wildlife officials have captured a wild elephant who was roaming in Aselapura last evening (October 15).

Officers stated the elephant who had been roaming around the villages of Aselapura and Welikanda was also reponsible for the deaths of four individuals.

The News1st correspondent in the area said that an operation was carried out for over three days to capture this wild elephant. Wildlife Officials from Welikanda, Ampara, Polonaruwa and Giritale took part in the operation.

Steps have been taken to relocate the elephant to the Horowpathana Elephant Sanctuary.

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https://www.newsfirst.lk/2018/10/16/wild-elephant-captured-in-aselapura/

Gota has also kept an elephant illegally !

Information has surfaced that former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa had been keeping an elephant illegally, said Wildlife and Sustainable Development Minister Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka.

Addressing a media conference yesterday, Fonseka said that Gotabhaya had kept two elephants and had returned them after their defeat.

The minister said that information has surfaced that the former President had got five elephants through a special decree.

Although the former president had given an elephant to the Kataragama Devalaya its custody was handed to Shashindra Rajapaksha. Another elephant was under the custody of his Chief Security Officer while another elephant was given to a temple under the custodianship of a relative of his.

Fonseka said that all details regarding this issue would be got and measures would be taken to initiate legal action against them.

He noted that during the previous regime 39 elephants had been caught from the wild and brought for various purposes and so far 17 legal cases have been filed pertaining to arrests.

Bail granted to three elephant racketeers

Meanwhile, notorious elephant racketeer Niranjan Roshan alias Ali Roshan of Pannipitiya, Pelenwatte Gemunu Mawatha was arrested by the CID yesterday for the illegal sale of captured wild elephants.

The officer in charge of registering wild elephants at the Wildlife Department Priyangika Sanjeewani and former Wildlife Department Deputy Director (legal) Upali Pathmasiri were also taken into custody.

They face charges of possession of wild elephants using forged licences.

However, the Kesbewa Magistrate Ruchira Weliwatte ordered the three suspects to be released on cash bail of Rs. 100,000 each and two personal bails of Rs. One million each, yesterday.

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