Two wild elephants lost their lives after a train collision and electrocution in the Malutivu and Kilinochchi districts, the Wildlife Department officials said.
The Kilinochchi Wildlife Office said that one elephant was fatally struck by the Uttara Devi train, en route from Jaffna to Colombo, in the Murukandi area of Kilinochchi. Simultaneously, the Mullaitivu Wildlife Officer reported the discovery of a deceased tusker in the Salamban area of Oddusudan Periya Mullaitivu.
Investigations revealed that the tusker died due to electrocution from an unauthorized electric cable installed to protect a paddy field from wild elephants. The deceased elephant, a 15-year-old tusker, prompted the Oddusudan Police to be notified for the apprehension of the field owner responsible for the electrified wires.
