Famed tusker dies of wounds

A famed tusker in the Udawalawe known as 'Hambegamuwe Ethaa' has died after prolonged illness despite the best efforts of veterinarian to save its life. 

The tusker was found while in severe distress on Thursday on the bund of the Rathambala Wewa in the park's border with Hambegamuwa. The park's eterinarians immediately began treatment on the elephant, but it passed away last evening (4).

Veterinary physicians who treated the tusker said the animal had five bullet wounds in its body as well as several deep cuts. The cuts had become severely infected and were life threatening, they added. 

The tusker was about 40 years of age at the time of death. 

According to the census on the country;s elephant population conducted in 2011, there were only about 120 tuskers left in the wild. 

Story and Pics by Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi in Hambantota

   

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