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Sinharaja loner checks in and goes about on its rounds
View(s):By Malaka Rodrigo
As Sri Lanka prepared for Avurudu festivities, an environmental research center in Deniyaya saw an unexpected visitor at dusk on April 8.
Silently emerging from the shadows of the rainforest, the lone elephant stepped gently onto the rain-soaked earth, leaving deep footprints in the muddy ground. It paused to feed on a banana tree before retreating into the forest.
This visitor was none other than ‘Panu Kota’ — one of the elusive elephants known to roam the Sinharaja Rainforest and its adjoining villages. The Sinharaja forest is home to a pair of male elephants known to make annual round trips through the nearby areas. While the second elephant, known locally as ‘Loku Aliya’, has not been seen for the past five years, ‘Panu Kota’ continues his seasonal journey through villages such as Rakwana, Neluwa, and Deniyaya.
Cemented elephant footprints: Marking the return of Panu Kota
The location where the elephant appeared is known as the Sinharaja Base Camp, on the edge of the Sinharaja Rainforest in Deniyaya. It was built and managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society of Galle (WCSG) for field research and conservation in one of Sri Lanka’s most biologically rich ecosystems.
“It was a special occasion for us,” said Madura de Silva, president of WCSG. “We even made a cement cast of its footprints, so its presence is permanently marked at the premises.” Mr de Silva told the SundayTimes.
In the days before the sighting, rumours had circulated in social media about an infected, foul-smelling wound on the elephant’s leg. However, the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) dismissed it, clarifying that the elephant is in musth — a natural condition in adult males during which they may emit strong odors and are aggressive.
Sinharaja elephant with its sattelite collar
To prevent any potential conflict with nearby villagers, wildlife officers have been following the elephant’s movements according to DWC.
Sri Lanka’s wet-zone rainforests, including Sinharaja, once supported a thriving population of elephants. However, due to large-scale deforestation caused by plantation agriculture, hunting and capturing during the colonial period, their numbers declined drastically.
The Sinharaja elephants are notably different from their dry-zone cousins. Adapted to life in dense, wet lowland rainforest, they navigate through challenging terrain, including steep rocky slopes and thick undergrowth.
Nisal Pubudu, who has observed their movements says: “They climb and descend difficult slopes with surprising ease, often using tree trunks for support.’’
In 2019, ‘Panu Kota’ was fitted with a radio collar by the DWC to track movements. But the collar is inactive and WCSG is willing to support tracking. Conservation experts stress the importance of maintaining habitat connectivity, engaging with local communities, and promoting scientific research to develop effective strategies for protecting these rare rainforest elephants.
The return of ‘Panu Kota’ to Deniyaya on the Avurudu week is a gentle reminder of the wild heritage that still lingers at the edge of the rainforest — and the responsibility that lies with us to ensure it survives for generations to come.
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