The Crisis
Conflicts arise mainly due to habitat loss, uncontrolled expansion of farmland, and a lack of awareness among farmers about how to live alongside these gentle giants.
Habitat loss brings elephants into closer contact with human populations, which inevitably results in human-elephant conflict. In Sri Lanka, this conflict has reached crisis levels. As elephants venture into villages and farmlands in search of food, they often destroy crops, property, and sometimes even harm or kill people. In retaliation, villagers may attack or kill elephants using poison, firearms, or homemade explosives like "Hakka Patas" (exploding bait designed to kill or harm these animals).
Critical Situation
Human-elephant conflict has reached crisis levels in Sri Lanka
Habitat Loss
Main cause of increased conflict between humans and elephants