Elephants at Wasgamuwa National Park. Central North Sri Lanka.

Human Elephant Conflict | Sri Lanka | 2023


The death toll, both human and elephant, from Sri Lanka’s long-running human-elephant conflict problem hit a record high in 2022, with 145 people and 433 elephants killed.


The rising numbers of deaths mainly due to shrinking elephant habitats and the blocking of elephant corridors.


Images taken in Central North Sri Lanka where the situation is the most precarious. Captions, info and interviews available on request.

Elephants at Wasgamuwa National Park. Central North Sri Lanka.
Medagethora Gunawardone, born in 1955 is the only cattle herder in the village of Himbiliyakada. He says his cattle and elephants coexist well, they eat and roam for similar food. He sleeps in his treetop house at night time though to guard his crops, de
Medagethora Gunawardone, born in 1955 is the only cattle herder in the village of Himbiliyakada. He says his cattle and elephants coexist well, they eat and roam for similar food. He sleeps in his treetop house at night time though to guard his crops, de
Elephants at Wasgamuwa National Park. Central North Sri Lanka.
Out in a jeep with the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society (SLWCS) in a known Elephant Corridor by Wasgamuwa National Park in Central North Sri Lanka. The old Land Rover is over 50 years old and has been battered by elephants in the past.
CG Subosinghe (born 1965) and CG Ekonoyahe (Born 1950) Subosinghe was charged and hit by a male Elephant just outside his village of Iriyagasulpotha in 2022. He fractured his leg and ankle in the attack and now has to walk with crutches. It presents a pro
CG Subosinghe (born 1965) and CG Ekonoyahe (Born 1950) Subosinghe was charged and hit by a male Elephant just outside his village of Iriyagasulpotha in 2022. He fractured his leg and ankle in the attack and now has to walk with crutches. It presents a pro
CG Subosinghe (born 1965) and CG Ekonoyahe (Born 1950) Subosinghe was charged and hit by a male Elephant just outside his village of Iriyagasulpotha in 2022. He fractured his leg and ankle in the attack and now has to walk with crutches. It presents a pro
Elephants at Wasgamuwa National Park. Central North Sri Lanka.
Elephants at Wasgamuwa National Park. Central North Sri Lanka.
Medagethora Gunawardone, born in 1955 is the only cattle herder in the village of Himbiliyakada. He says his cattle and elephants coexist well, they eat and roam for similar food. He sleeps in his treetop house at night time though to guard his crops, de
Medagethora Gunawardone, born in 1955 is the only cattle herder in the village of Himbiliyakada. He says his cattle and elephants coexist well, they eat and roam for similar food. He sleeps in his treetop house at night time though to guard his crops, de
Out in a jeep with the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society (SLWCS) in a known Elephant Corridor by Wasgamuwa National Park in Central North Sri Lanka. The old Land Rover is over 50 years old and has been battered by elephants in the past.
Out in a jeep with the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society (SLWCS) in a known Elephant Corridor by Wasgamuwa National Park in Central North Sri Lanka. The old Land Rover is over 50 years old and has been battered by elephants in the past.
Elephants at Wasgamuwa National Park. Central North Sri Lanka.
Elephants at Wasgamuwa National Park. Central North Sri Lanka.
SLWC field house in Wasgamuwa, Sri Lanka.
SLWC field house in Wasgamuwa, Sri Lanka.