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Two more elephants rescued, one badly injured
An injured elephant was rescued by Wildlife Department officials from the residence of a politico, as raids to free elephants being held without
The elephant found at Vipashyaramaya. Pic by Nilan Maligaspe
proper authorisation continued this week.
The four-year-old calf was found at the Horana residence of UNP Western Provincial Councillor Kithsiri Kahatapitiya, and later taken to the National Wildlife Training Centre (NWLTC) at Girithale for treatment.
The baby elephant had wounds on all four legs that were tied up with leather straps. It also suffered a skin condition on its trunk.
Wildlife Deputy Minister Wasantha Senanayake was among the group of wildlife officers and police who carried out the raid on a tip off.
Wildlife Conservation Deputy Director and head of the flying squad W.A.P.U Indrajith said, they had also rescued a baby elephant held at the Vipashyaramaya in Maharagama after obtaining a court order .Requesting owners of elephants who could not maintain them to handover the animals to the authorities for proper care, the deputy minister said that after 1978 elephants were given through decrees but many owners did not have a licence. “Some have interpreted the decree as a legal document, but this is a wrong procedure. I will ask the Attorney Generals’ Department to correct this and find a solution in courts.”
An elephant rescued during an earlier raid. Pic by Amila Gamage