A tragic accident occurred on Thursday when a passenger train collided with a herd of elephants, resulting in the deaths of six elephants and injuring two others, who are currently receiving treatment. This incident is among the worst train accidents in the country, though it is not the first involving elephants.
Experts attribute such accidents to deforestation and dwindling natural resources, which force elephants into human territories, leading them onto railway tracks, farms, and villages. In addition to train collisions, elephants also face threats from electrocution, poisoned food, and poaching.
According to wildlife conservation organizations, approximately 20 elephants die in train accidents each year in Sri Lanka. Last year alone, over 170 people and around 500 elephants lost their lives due to human-elephant conflicts. Wildlife experts and local authorities have repeatedly urged train drivers to reduce speed and sound their horns when passing through forests and elephant corridors. However, these measures have not proven fully effective in preventing such tragedies.
This is not the first incident in Habarana. In 2018, a pregnant elephant and her two calves were killed by a train in the same area. More recently, in October last year, a train struck a herd of elephants in Minneriya, killing two and injuring one.
Also Read: New Zealand households continue to face pressure of housing costs
Elephants are legally protected in Sri Lanka, where an estimated 7,000 wild elephants are considered sacred by the local Buddhist community. Killing an elephant is a criminal offense, punishable by imprisonment or hefty fines. Despite these legal protections, the increasing frequency of human-elephant conflicts continues to pose a significant challenge for the government and wildlife experts.