The destruction of human and elephant lives, along with property damage, has continued unchecked for over five years, according to data from wildlife authorities. Electrocution has now become the leading cause of elephant deaths.
According to the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), in 2020 and 2021, the primary causes of elephant fatalities were ‘Hakka Pattas’ (jaw bombs) and gunshot wounds. However, from 2022 to April 9, 2025, gunshot injuries and electrocution have emerged as the most frequent causes of death. Electrocution incidents surged from 31 in 2020 to over 72 by 2023, with an additional 18 cases recorded in the first quarter of 2025. There was a temporary decline in 2024, with the number dropping to 56.
Gunshot-related deaths have also remained alarmingly high, rising from 43 in 2020 to 58 in 2022, with 22 more fatalities reported in early 2025.
These two human-driven causes now account for nearly half of all elephant deaths. Additionally, poisoning (15 to 29 cases annually) and train collisions (10 to 14 cases annually) contribute significantly to fatalities, while road accidents, septicaemia, and infected wounds appear less frequently.
Compared to 2020 and 2021, the number of elephant deaths caused by train accidents has increased over the last three years.
This data underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions, including the reinforcement of electric fences and improved rail crossing deterrents in high-risk areas. Community engagement is also crucial in mitigating the escalating human-elephant conflict.
Each year, approximately 100 to 115 elephant deaths remain unclassified. According to the DWC, these are presumed to be natural deaths. In cases where a decomposed carcass is discovered in the forest, conducting a post-mortem to determine the cause of death is often impossible.
Between 2020 and 2025, the highest number of human fatalities were reported in Anuradhapura, followed by Polonnaruwa, reflecting the severity of human-elephant conflicts in the North Central Province.
From 2020 to early 2025, the Eastern Province—particularly the Ampara district—recorded 82 human deaths, while Batticaloa also reported a significant number of fatalities.
A notable number of human deaths have also occurred in the Uva Province, especially in the Monaragala district.
In contrast, northern provinces have comparatively lower fatality rates, with several districts recording between zero and one death annually. This suggests either a lower frequency of elephant attacks or the presence of more effective mitigation strategies.
Property loss is particularly high in the North Central Province. In Anuradhapura, damages escalated dramatically from 165 incidents in 2020 to 1,029 in 2024. Meanwhile, Polonnaruwa saw a slight decline from 542 cases in 2020 to 509 in 2024. Nationally, property damage due to human-elephant conflict rose from 2,223 incidents in 2020 to 3,759 in 2024.
According to Dr. S. Wijeyamohan, a member of the IUCN Asian Elephant Specialist Group, Polonnaruwa—situated in the Mahaweli region—is home to the highest number of elephants, with Anuradhapura also reporting significant populations.
“A high elephant population, extensive cultivation, and fragmented forest patches create a dangerous combination, leading to elevated conflict rates,” Dr. Wijeyamohan stated.
He further warned that increasing the length of electric fences could escalate conflicts even further. Many communities advocate for fences around their gardens, farms, and homes, and over time, demand for such protective measures is expected to rise.
With the inputs from the Sunday Times.