Galgamuwa Villagers Shoot Kavantissa, Sri Lanka's 11-Foot Bull, in Leg

Kavantissa, the tallest living male elephant in Sri Lanka, died on Oct. 16 following a gunshot wound to his right leg. The 45-year-old animal, which weighed approximately 5,500 kilograms and stood 3.3 meters tall, had been a familiar presence in the Galgamuwa area of the northwest.

Villagers in Galgamuwa first noticed the tusker limping in late September. A subsequent examination revealed the bullet injury. Veterinary surgeons attempted to treat the wound, but the elephant did not recover.

The death adds to a recurring toll on the island. Sri Lanka records more elephant deaths annually than any other nation. It also holds the second-highest number of human fatalities from violent encounters with the species globally. Official data indicates that since 2019, an average of 370 elephants and 125 people have died each year in these incidents.

The conflict arises largely from habitat compression. The island holds roughly 10% of the world's Asian elephant population while covering only 2% of their natural range. This density is the highest anywhere. The Department of Wildlife Conservation estimated the wild elephant population at 7,451 in 2024. Approximately 70% of these animals live outside protected areas.

Land use changes have driven this trend. The rural population in Sri Lanka grew from 8.25 million in 1960 to 17.8 million in 2020. As farming remains the primary income source, land continues to be cleared for agriculture. Each elephant requires about 150 kilograms of green matter daily, a need that draws them into fields.

Ravi Corea, president of the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society, identified habitat loss, agricultural expansion, and fragmented corridors as key drivers. He noted that crop losses threaten a rural family's main source of food and income, a pressure he said distinguishes the local conflict from wildlife issues in wealthier nations. Corea stated that while a national action plan drafted in 2020 provides a foundation, it requires a comprehensive strategy with enforceable habitat protection.

Non-governmental groups have implemented programs to mitigate the conflict. Project Orange Elephant in the Wasgamuwa region encourages farmers to plant citrus trees, which elephants tend to avoid. This approach reduces crop raiding and provides additional income. Electric fencing also protects settlements and farmland in the area.

Transportation solutions have also proven effective. The "EleFriendly" bus service in Wasgamuwa carries schoolchildren through elephant corridors. Before the service, confrontations sometimes discouraged children from walking to school. The bus route has reduced dangerous encounters by more than 90% along its original path.

Kamal Shashendra, an environmental ethics researcher based in Sri Lanka, argued that a just solution must protect human lives, livelihoods, and elephant populations simultaneously. He specified that this requires scientifically informed land-use planning, protected corridors, community-based fencing, effective early-warning systems, and fair compensation for affected families.