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| Thursday, 29 July 2004 |
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Rogue elephant in Ehetuwewa caught The lonely elephant known as "Niyapoththa" that was creating havoc and responsible for the deaths of eight persons in the Ehetuwewa-Galgamuwa area has been caught by officials of the Wildlife Department recently. People living in the area said that they were relieved with the news of the capture of the elephant that was creating fear and anxiety in them for the past few years and said that if the officials concerned had acted earlier precious human lives would have been saved. The villagers also pointed out that the elephant was a threat to the lives of many and property in the Galgamuwa area where Environment and Natural Resources Deputy Minister Bandula Basnayake is residing. Deputy Minister Bandula Basnayake told the Daily News that the elephant "Niyapoththa" captured by the officials of the Wildlife Department has been sent to a sanctuary where it could move freely. He said that the elephant was identified as the one which had been causing immense trouble to the people by the 18 marks of wounds healed. The Deputy Minister said that action has been taken to capture other elephants and move them to natural habitats or to sanctuaries for them to live freely. "We have come to know that there is an illicit trade of selling elephant tusks taken from the elephants caught under the guise of catching wild-elephants to be released to sanctuaries. The business is said to be going on well in Giribawa and Kotavehera areas. We are determined to put an end to this business", Basnayake said. He requested the public to provide information on disturbances caused by the presence of wild elephants and those involved in selling elephant tusks. |
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