Sri Lankan Villagers Shoot Record-Height Elephant Kavantissa in Leg

Villagers near Galgamuwa, Sri Lanka, shot the country's tallest living male elephant in the leg, killing him.

The bull, known as Kavantissa, died on October 16. He was believed to be 45 years old, standing roughly 3.3 meters high and weighing around 5,500 kilograms.

Residents noticed the tusker limping in late September. A closer inspection revealed a gunshot wound on his right leg. Veterinary surgeons treated the animal, but he did not survive.

Sri Lanka records the highest number of elephant deaths annually of any country. It also ranks second globally for human deaths resulting from violent encounters between people and elephants. Official figures indicate that since 2019, an average of 370 elephants and 125 people have died each year in such incidents.

The island holds about 10% of the world's Asian elephants while covering just 2% of their natural range. This gives it the highest density of the species anywhere. The Sri Lankan elephant is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. National law protects the subspecies with fines and jail terms for wildlife offenses, yet experts note that animals are still shot, poisoned, hit by trains, or killed by explosives hidden in food.

Forest cover has shrunk as the population has grown. The rural population rose from 8.25 million in 1960 to 17.8 million in 2020. Because farming is the primary source of income, land continues to be cleared for agriculture. The Department of Wildlife Conservation estimated 7,451 wild elephants in 2024. About 70% of them live outside protected areas. Each animal needs roughly 150 kilograms of green matter daily, which draws them toward fields.

Ravi Corea, president of the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society, stated that habitat loss and agricultural expansion drive the conflict. He explained that crop losses threaten rural families' main income, a factor that distinguishes this conflict from those in wealthier nations. Corea noted that despite government efforts, the numbers are still rising. He said the 2020 national action plan is a useful foundation but requires a comprehensive conservation strategy with enforceable habitat protection.

Community programs have shown promise in reducing conflicts. Corea pointed to Project Orange Elephant in the Wasgamuwa region, where farmers grow citrus crops that elephants avoid. This strategy cuts raiding while providing extra income. Electric fencing also protects settlements and farmland. The "EleFriendly" bus service in the same area carries schoolchildren through elephant corridors. It has reduced dangerous encounters along its original route by more than 90%.