The Department of Wildlife Conservation has launched an operation to use GPS technology to manage the movements of wild elephants in Anuradhapura, aiming to reduce human-elephant conflict and protect both communities and wildlife.
The operation, initiated in Oyamaduwa, involves equipping wild elephants with GPS collars to monitor their movements and migration patterns. This advanced tracking system will provide valuable insights into elephant behavior, helping to develop targeted strategies to mitigate conflicts.
The effort is a collaborative endeavor involving wildlife officials, local residents, and the Sri Lanka Navy.
Human-elephant conflict remains a pressing issue in Sri Lanka, with wild elephants frequently causing significant crop damage. Surveys indicate that such incidents are reported daily across various regions, with Anuradhapura being one of the most affected districts.
To address this challenge, a relocation program was recently introduced, aiming to move elephants to designated reserves like Wilpattu National Park. However, residents claim the abrupt suspension of this relocation process has exacerbated the issue, leaving many areas increasingly exposed to elephant activity.
The GPS tracking initiative represents a proactive step toward resolving the conflict, balancing the needs of communities with the conservation of Sri Lanka’s iconic wildlife.
