Sri Lanka’s tallest living tusker, Kavantissa, has died while receiving treatment for a gunshot wound sustained in Galgamuwa.
The tusker, considered the largest and tallest living elephant in Sri Lanka, was recently found with a gunshot injury to its right foreleg in a paddy field in the area.
Following the discovery, Kavantissa was provided with urgent veterinary treatment. However, the tusker has since succumbed to its injuries while undergoing treatment.
At over 11 feet tall and weighing over 5.5 tonnes, his towering presence commands respect and awe.
His most striking feature was a pair of majestic tusks, over six feet long, that curve like ancient sculptures—a truly rare and breathtaking sight among Asian elephants.
Kavantissa's journey through the Galgamuwa forests was a testament to the wild spirit of Sri Lanka. Spotting him is more than a wildlife safari; it's a profound connection to nature's resilience.
Kavantissa’s death marks a significant loss to Sri Lanka’s wildlife, particularly given the elephant’s exceptional size and stature.
