COLOMBO, Oct 17 : Sri Lankan wildlife authorities on Saturday ordered a probe into the death of a wild tusker, believed to be its largest elephant, following allegations of negligence in its treatment.
Kavanthissa, an over 10-foot-tall elephant, whose tusks measured over six feet, was found dead in the Siyambalangamuwa area of the northwestern province on Friday evening while undergoing treatment for a gunshot wound to his right front leg.
"We will have forensic tests to determine the cause, and there will be action taken for negligence if proved to be so," Ranjan Marasinghe, Director of the Wildlife Department, told reporters.
As news of Kavanthissa's death went viral on social media, mounting public outcry forced authorities to launch an official investigation.
Environmental groups also alleged that the iconic tusker had not received adequate care despite being under treatment for more than three weeks.
Wildlife officials said veterinary treatment had been provided to Kavanthissa since September 24 after he suffered the injury, reportedly from a gunshot.
Although the wound had shown signs of healing, the elephant developed further health complications and stopped eating in the days before his death.
The tusker was found collapsed in the Siyambalangamuwa area on Friday morning and died in the evening while receiving treatment.
According to the officials, dehydration was also believed to have contributed to his deteriorating condition.
Residents in the area claimed that the elephant had been shot, while environmental groups demanded an investigation into whether lapses in treatment contributed to his death.
A separate team of veterinary surgeons was scheduled to conduct a post-mortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.
Kavanthissa, who roamed the Galgamuwa region, was one of Sri Lanka's most prominent wild tuskers and had attracted widespread public attention for his imposing size and unusually long tusks. (PTI)
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