Special committee appointed to probe elephant deaths in Habarana

Wildlife Minister John Amaratunga today (Oct 1) said a special committee has been appointed to investigate the recent elephant deaths in Habarana.

Last week, seven elephants including a male and six females were found dead near a water tank in Habarana - a city located in the Anuradhapura district.

Wildlife Conservation Department Director General Chandana Sooriyabandara said preliminary investigations have shown that the elephants could have died of poisoning.

"Poisoning could have occurred due to bacteria, consumption of agro-chemicals or industrial waste," he said.

Mr. Sooriyabandara said that samples from these elephants had been sent to the Government Analysts Department, Veterinary Surgeons Institute, and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine & Animal Science.

He pointed out that the Government Analysts report would determine whether the poisoning was a deliberate act. “They (Government Analyst) will submit the report within this week,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister Amaratunga said that a cabinet paper has been put forward today to transfer 47 tamed elephants related to ongoing judicial proceedings and investigations.

These elephants which are under the Wildlife Department and Zoological Gardens would be relocated in a land area expected to span at least 500 acres, he said.

(Pics by Indika Handuwala)