The Department of Wildlife Conservation has taken steps to initiate legal action against motorists and passengers who feed wild elephants along the Kataragama–Buttala Road, officials said.
Wildlife officials said feeding the elephants has caused them to become accustomed to stopping near the road to obtain food, increasing the risk of attacks on vehicles.
Around eight wild elephants have reportedly become accustomed to stopping vehicles along the Kataragama–Buttala Road. More than 2,000 vehicles use the road daily, including vehicles carrying pilgrims travelling to Kataragama and people travelling to Monaragala, Wellawaya, Bandarawela and other areas.
Officials said there have been several instances in which elephants attempted to attack or overturn vehicles after food was not provided. Recently, an elephant attacked a bus, causing it to overturn and injuring around 40 people.
According to wildlife officials, five people, including three women and two men, have died in wild elephant attacks on vehicles along the road during the past six years. More than 100 vehicles are also reportedly damaged annually in elephant attacks.
The road runs through Block II of Yala National Park and is open to the public. However, the Department of Wildlife Conservation stressed that getting out of vehicles and feeding wild animals is illegal.
Officials noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, when vehicle movement along the road was restricted, the elephants did not remain near the road and instead relied on natural food sources inside the forest.
The Department said bus and safari jeep drivers had contributed to the elephants becoming accustomed to receiving food from vehicles.
Uva Province Assistant Director of Wildlife W.A. Indrajith said vehicles involved in feeding the elephants would be video-recorded and legal action would be taken against those responsible under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance for causing harm to wild animals.
