Sri Lanka’s wild elephant population is showing signs of decline, with the birth of elephant calves decreasing by 21 percent, according to the latest census conducted by the Department of Wildlife Conservation.
The 2024 census, carried out after a gap of 13 years, estimates the country’s wild elephant population at approximately 7,451 males and 3,600 females. Overall, around 8,000 elephants are believed to inhabit the nation’s wildlife zones, including roughly 420 calves.
Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, Ranjan Marasinghe, said the figures highlight growing concerns over the sustainability of the wild elephant population in Sri Lanka and underscore the need for strengthened conservation measures.
The census provides crucial data for policymakers and conservationists as the country continues efforts to protect one of its most iconic species amid habitat loss and human-wildlife conflicts.
