Sri Lanka’s elephants in peril and the fight for survival

Sri Lanka’s gentle giants deserve nothing less than a future where they thrive alongside its people

By combining stricter policies with grassroots education, Sri Lanka can turn the tide. If farmers are empowered to grow elephant-resistant crops, if children are taught to cherish wildlife, and if corridors are restored to their rightful place in the landscape, elephants can continue to roam freely across the island. They will not be relics of memory but living emblems of resilience, harmony, and cultural continuity

Sri Lanka’s elephants, long revered as cultural icons and ecological guardians, are facing one of the most serious declines in their recorded history. Once numbering well over 12,000 in the early 20th century, the population has now dwindled to between 6,000 and 7,000 individuals.

In its 2024 census, the Department of Wildlife Conservation recorded just 420 elephant calves, underscoring a troubling decline in birth rates. Even more alarming is the mortality rate. In the first seven months of 2025 alone, 238 elephants were lost, underscoring the severity of the crisis. If this rate continues, the total number of deaths by year’s end would be among the highest ever recorded. Over the past 24 years, over 6,400 elephants have died, averaging over 260 deaths each year.

The decline is driven primarily by human activity. Expanding agriculture and infrastructure have fragmented elephant habitats, while commercial developments such as luxury hotels and unauthorised religious structures have increasingly obstructed traditional migration corridors. These pathways, once vital for elephants moving between feeding and watering grounds, are now disappearing under the pressure of land conversion and construction. When elephants lose access to these pathways, they are forced into farmland, leading to crop raids and escalating human-elephant conflict. The consequences are devastating. Elephants are killed in retaliation, often through cruel methods such as hakka patas, explosive devices hidden in food that cause slow and painful deaths. At the same time, human lives are lost, creating deep mistrust between rural communities and conservation 

authorities. Blocking corridors not only increases crop invasions but also isolates herds, reducing genetic diversity and threatening long-term survival.

Need for multi-faceted approach

Addressing this crisis requires a multi-faceted approach that combines stricter law enforcement, habitat restoration, and community education. Stricter environmental law enforcement and stronger land-use regulations are essential to prevent further destruction of elephant corridors and forests. But laws alone cannot solve the problem. Farmers and rural communities must be empowered to coexist with elephants rather than view them as enemies.

One promising solution is to encourage farmers in severe conflict areas to cultivate crops that elephants typically avoid, such as chili, ginger, citrus, or certain legumes. These crops not only reduce the likelihood of raids but also provide alternative income streams. Pilot projects in South Asia have shown that crop diversification can significantly reduce conflict while improving resilience for farming families. Innovative deterrents such as beehive fences, which exploit elephants’ natural fear of bees, are also being tested in Sri Lanka. These methods are humane, cost-effective, and can be integrated into 

community farming systems.

Education must extend beyond farmers to the younger generation. Teaching children, particularly those living in areas affected by human–elephant conflict, about the importance of elephants in Sri Lanka’s ecosystems and culture is vital for long-term conservation. School programs, wildlife clubs, and eco-tourism initiatives can instill respect for elephants from a young age. By teaching children that elephants are not enemies but guardians of biodiversity, Sri Lanka can nurture a generation that values coexistence. Stories, picture books, and interactive learning such as visits to national parks can help children understand that elephants play a crucial role in seed dispersal, forest regeneration, and maintaining ecological balance. This cultural and ecological literacy is essential for ensuring that future leaders and citizens continue to protect elephants.

More alarming is the mortality rate. In the first seven months of 2025 alone, 238 elephants were lost, underscoring the severity of the crisis. If this rate continues, the total number of deaths by year’s end would be among the highest ever recorded. Over the past 24 years, over 6,400 elephants have died, averaging over 260 deaths each year

Conservation efforts

Current conservation efforts include the establishment of wildlife zones, electric fencing, and translocation of problem elephants. However, experts warn that elephant drives and confinement strategies are ineffective and often harmful, leading to starvation and social disruption. Future measures must focus on restoring and legally protecting elephant corridors, expanding protected areas, and integrating scientific research with traditional knowledge to design sustainable solutions. Eco-tourism incentives can also provide economic benefits tied to elephant conservation, turning elephants into assets rather than liabilities for rural communities.

Despite the grim statistics, there is hope. Sri Lanka’s elephants remain a source of national pride, deeply embedded in folklore, history, and the island’s collective identity. Growing awareness among citizens, conservation groups, and international development partners signals a shift toward action. By combining stricter policies with grassroots education, Sri Lanka can turn the tide. If farmers are empowered to grow elephant-resistant crops, if children are taught to cherish wildlife, and if corridors are restored to their rightful place in the landscape, elephants can continue to roam freely across the island. They will not be relics of memory but living emblems of resilience, harmony, and cultural continuity.

Sri Lanka’s gentle giants deserve nothing less than a future where they thrive alongside its people. With collective will, science, and compassion, that future is still within reach. The challenge is immense, but the reward is clear. If Sri Lanka protects its elephants, it will preserve not only a species but also the ecological balance that sustains rural communities. Safeguarding them is not simply about conservation. It is about ensuring the country’s future remains tied to its natural heritage.

(The author is a Communications Specialist and Author of Life with Pulli)