Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Sri Lanka: What's killing so many of the country's iconic elephants?
Elephants have a significant cultural and ecological importance in Sri
Lanka. They are revered as sacred animals and are often associated with
religious festivals, especially in Buddhist traditions. They also play a
crucial role in maintaining the biodiversity of the country’s ecosystems. Sri
Lanka has implemented various conservation efforts to protect its elephant
population. However, as farming and development expand, wild forests where
elephants live in shrink. They then have no choice but to come closer or into
human habitats and farms. Some farmers try to protect their land and crops from
elephants by setting up high-voltage electric fences and jaw bombs, an improvised
explosive device that detonates when bit. Jaw bombs are now become the leading
cause of elephant deaths in Sri Lanka. More male elephants have become victims
of these harmful setups than females as they tend to wander into rural
communities alone. How can aggressive people and vulnerable elephants coexist
in peace in Sri Lanka?
Read the article and learn about the threats to wild elephants in Sri
Lanka.
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