Kumaratunga Munidasa, the prominent Sinhala writer of the previous century, once authored a children’s essay depicting the initial encounter between an elephant and a steam locomotive. The essay sarcastically portrayed the elephant’s overwhelming fear in the face of the train’s various aspects, including its horn, perceived as a terrifying roar; its remarkable speed; and its seemingly endless length, which the elephant perceived as a line composed of a hundred elephants. The elephant pondered over the train’s potential diet, harbouring a deep-seated fear of its own life being at stake, and speculated that the colossal creature would require a minimum of ten elephants to sustain itself daily.
Regrettably, what was seen as sarcasm a century ago has now become a distressing reality. Trains have become a perilous threat to the lives of elephants. Disturbingly, in 2023 alone, Sri Lanka witnessed the loss of 19 elephants due to train accidents, according to newspaper reports. This alarming trend of train-related elephant fatalities underscores a pressing issue that requires immediate attention.
Numerous complex factors contribute to the increased risk elephants face from train accidents in Sri Lanka. Firstly, the presence of railway lines has resulted in the fragmentation of elephant habitats, effectively cutting off their traditional migration routes and restricting their access to essential resources such as water and food. Consequently, elephants are compelled to traverse tracks more frequently, significantly heightening the probability of collisions with trains.
Another contributing factor to the increased risk of train accidents involving elephants is the high-speed nature of train travel, particularly during night-time journeys. This poses a significant concern as it leaves minimal reaction time for both train operators and elephants, heightening the potential for tragic collisions. There have been troubling reports indicating that deviations from train schedules can confuse elephants, rendering them more susceptible to being present on the tracks when a train approaches. Certain reports suggest a concerning situation where many trains operate with damaged speedometers due to inadequate maintenance practices. Consequently, train speeds are estimated using signal poles, which can lead to locomotives running at faster speeds than intended. This further compounds the problem, as it further restricts the time available for engine drivers to react upon encountering elephants crossing the tracks.
Adding to the problem, human activities in proximity to railway lines, such as improper garbage disposal or agricultural practices, can inadvertently attract elephants. This unfortunate attraction increases the likelihood of elephants encountering trains and subsequently facing perilous situations.
Trains are not the only threat to elephants. In 2023, a total of 368 elephants died in Sri Lanka, with over 100 elephant deaths reported in the first quarter of the year. The major causes of elephant deaths in Sri Lanka include what’s known as Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC). According to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, more than half of the elephant deaths, 212 in total, were due to human causes. This includes situations where elephants were poisoned, shot, or electrocuted due to conflicts with humans over resources and space. HEC has been far worse earlier, leading to a record-high death toll for both humans and elephants in 2022, with 433 elephants and 145 humans killed.
Regrettably, the once-abundant elephant population in this ancient region is now declining. The historical significance of them in Sri Lanka is evident through the discovery of elephant fossils predating human settlements. The Sabaragamuwa Basin in Sri Lanka is home to numerous fossils from different geological periods, including the Pleistocene epoch, where elephant fossils have been uncovered. These fossils represent three distinct elephant species: Elephas Hysudricus, Elephas Namadicus, and Elephas Maximus Sinhaleyus. Additionally, the Ratnapura region in Sri Lanka boasts a rich Pleistocene flora and fauna, including the fossil of Palaeoloxodon Namadicus Sinhaleyus, a unique species of elephant.
The historical relationship between elephants and humans in Sri Lanka is deeply intertwined, spanning millennia and shaping the cultural, religious, and ecological landscapes of the island nation. Elephants, revered as symbols of power, wisdom, and strength, have played multifaceted roles in Sri Lankan society throughout its history.
One of the most prominent aspects of this relationship is the use of elephants in various cultural and religious ceremonies since ancient times. In traditional Sri Lankan culture, the elephant is considered a sacred animal, often associated with deities such as Ganesh, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and prosperity in Hinduism. Elephants have historically been integral to Sri Lanka’s agricultural practices and transportation systems. They were used extensively in forestry, clearing land, transporting heavy goods, and even in warfare during ancient times. The strength and intelligence of elephants made them invaluable assets in tasks requiring significant physical exertion.
During the Kandyan period in Ceylon, elephants were used as a method of execution. The elephants were trained to crush, dismember, or torture captives during public executions, which were most commonly employed by royalty to signify their power over life and death of their subjects. The English sailor Robert Knox, writing in 1681, described a method of execution by an elephant which he had witnessed while being held captive in Sri Lanka. However, the growing power of the British Empire led to the decline and eventual end of elephant executions.
The decline in elephant populations on a significant scale originated during the British colonial era. British officials and plantation owners frequently regarded elephants as nuisances or dangerous creatures, leading to their rampant hunting, often for mere sport. This unfortunate practice resulted in the demise of numerous elephants, particularly mature males with prominent tusks. Notably, Major Thomas William Rogers, a British individual who served in the then-Ceylon during the mid-19th century, is acknowledged for his role in exterminating a staggering number of elephants in Sri Lanka, with estimates surpassing 2000.
As the British authority expanded their dominion over Sri Lanka, vast tracts of forested land were cleared for agricultural and other purposes. This widespread habitat destruction displaced elephants from their natural habitats, rendering them more susceptible to poaching and conflicts with humans. Ivory, a highly prized commodity during the British era, served as a driving force behind the killing of elephants solely for their tusks, which were then exported to Europe and various other regions across the globe.
Fast forward to 2024. The current problem is more serious than we imagine. Elephants often reach villages, just like they cross rail tracks, due to a variety of factors. These include habitat fragmentation, human encroachment on their traditional migratory routes, and most importantly the search for food and water. Once they are used to carbohydrate-rich foods they can find in village farms, it is difficult to keep them away. As highly migratory animals, it is also normal for elephants to move across different regions. Human activities such as the construction of roads, railways, and agricultural expansion have disrupted their natural habitats, forcing them to navigate through human-dominated landscapes, increasing the chances of conflict with humans. Additionally, factors such as water shortages and climate change can also contribute to elephants venturing into villages in search of resources.
It is important to consider the challenges faced by farmers before placing the blame solely on their shoulders. Farmers work tirelessly to protect their crops, and it is unfair to expect them to simply accept the loss when their hard work is being destroyed by wild animals. Elephants are not the only animals causing damage to agricultural products; monkeys and other animals also contribute to this issue.
Implementing measures like crop diversity, which involves planting a variety of crops to decrease the vulnerability of fields to elephant attacks, may not be a feasible solution in Sri Lanka. This is because the types of crops cultivated by farmers are influenced by various factors beyond their control. Similarly, exploring cost-effective strategies to reduce crop susceptibility to elephant attacks, such as using crop types that elephants naturally avoid, may be seen as viable solutions by bureaucrats in Colombo. However, implementing such measures in small villages in the North Central province poses its own set of challenges.
Given the intricacies of the matter, there is a high likelihood that approximately 400 elephants will be lost this year too, as projected by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. This number represents a fraction of the overall elephant population, which currently stands at around 6,000 animals. While this news is disheartening, it is important to recognize that there are no easy solutions to address this issue.
One potential approach to mitigating human-elephant conflict involves providing elephants with access to carbohydrate-rich food sources within their natural habitats. By doing so, we can potentially reduce the frequency of elephants venturing into nearby villages in search of sustenance. Establishing protected areas for elephants, complete with secure corridors that connect these spaces, offers another viable solution. This allows elephants to access vital resources without encroaching upon human settlements.
Furthermore, efforts to restore degraded elephant habitats and establish buffer zones between human and elephant territories can significantly reduce instances of conflict. These measures create physical boundaries that help minimize encounters and foster coexistence between both parties.
However, it is important to recognize that these strategies can only be effectively implemented if sufficient financial resources are allocated to elephant conservation efforts. Without substantial budgets dedicated to this cause, it becomes increasingly challenging to address the complex array of issues surrounding elephant conservation.