World · Sri Lanka Bureau
Illegal electric traps endanger Sri Lanka's wild elephant population
Wildlife authorities have raised alarm over the proliferation of illegal electrified snares targeting elephants across the island, with the endangered animal Rattha among those at risk. The crude traps pose a serious threat to both elephant survival and human safety in affected regions.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
Illegal electric traps set by poachers and villagers are increasingly endangering Sri Lanka's dwindling wild elephant population, conservation officials have warned. The makeshift devices, constructed using locally available materials and powered electrical currents, are being deployed in forest areas and agricultural zones where human-wildlife conflict remains prevalent.
The situation has become particularly acute in regions where elephants frequently raid crops and damage property, prompting desperate attempts by rural communities to deter the animals. However, the indiscriminate nature of these traps has resulted in severe injuries and deaths among elephants, including documented cases of individual animals sustaining burns and electrocution-related trauma.
Notably, the tusker Rattha has been identified as one of several elephants in immediate danger from these illegal devices. Wildlife officials have expressed concern that the proliferation of such traps could accelerate the decline of an already vulnerable population, while also increasing risks to human handlers and villagers in proximity to electrified snares.
Authorities have intensified efforts to locate and dismantle illegal traps while engaging with local communities on alternative conflict mitigation strategies. Wildlife protection agencies are calling for enhanced enforcement against trap-makers and stronger community education programs to reduce reliance on such dangerous methods.