Sri Lanka has the highest rate of elephant deaths in South Asia, despite having a much smaller elephant population than India. While India has an estimated 20,000–27,000 elephants, Sri Lanka is home to only 6,000–7,000. Official statistics indicate that the number of elephant deaths in Sri Lanka each year is the highest in the region relative to its population.
According to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, 397 wild elephants have died in Sri Lanka as of mid-December 2025, compared to 388 in 2024 and 488 in 2023.
The majority of these deaths are linked to human-elephant conflict. Common causes include gunshot wounds, electrocution from illegal electric fences, train collisions, explosives, and other harmful human activities.
This year’s deaths include:
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71 elephants killed by gunshots
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56 deaths due to electrocution
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46 killed in train accidents
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20 deaths from explosives
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2 elephants poisoned
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1 elephant set on fire in Seeppukulam, Mihintale
Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody noted that the situation has worsened following Cyclone Ditva, with more wild elephants entering villages due to damage to electric fences.
The Department of Wildlife Conservation has called for urgent measures to reduce human-elephant conflicts and protect the remaining wild elephant population in the country.
