Sri Lanka’s wild elephant population has increased to an estimated 7,451 animals, according to the latest island-wide elephant survey conducted by the Department of Wildlife Conservation in 2024, Environment Minister Dr. Dhammika Patabendi announced.
Commenting on the survey findings, the Minister stated that the latest figures indicate a significant increase in the country’s wild elephant population compared to previous censuses conducted over the past three decades.
According to official records, Sri Lanka’s wild elephant population stood at 1,967 in 1993. The next national elephant census, conducted in 2011, recorded 5,879 wild elephants across the island.
“According to the 2024 Elephant Survey, there are at least 7,451 wild elephants in Sri Lanka. This represents an increase of approximately 26.7 percent compared to the previous survey,” Minister Patabendi said.
The Minister also highlighted a rise in the number of tusked elephants, noting that the tusker population has increased by 9.2 percent according to the latest survey results.
“The tusked elephant population has increased by 9.2 percent. Overall, we can observe a clear increase in Sri Lanka’s elephant population,” he added.
The findings provide important data for wildlife conservation planning and efforts to address the growing challenges associated with human-elephant conflict, habitat management, and biodiversity conservation across the country.
Officials say the survey will assist policymakers and conservation authorities in developing future strategies to protect Sri Lanka’s elephant population while ensuring sustainable coexistence between wildlife and local communities.
