Elephant survey on hold due to rains ; Met. Dept. predicts dry weather next year

The elephant survey which was expected to be conducted this month has been postponed due to the rainy weather, Wildlife Department Director Dr Lakshman Mendis said.

Dr. Mendis explained that elephants withdraw into forests during the rainy period and do not visit water bodies thereby obstructing the process of carrying out a proper survey.

He said that the survey which was to be held on September 13 and 14 at a cost of Rs 88 million would be held on a later date during the dry period.

Meril Mendis, a Deputy Director for Weather Forecasting at the Department of Meteorology told Times Online that the rains are expected to cease only by January or February next year.

Meanwhile, the Wildlife Department Director said that all national parks which were expected to be closed during the survey would remain open for tourists. 

However, he noted that all circuit bungalows run by the Wildlife Department would remain closed between September 13 - 15.