This past weekend millions of Sri Lankans were shocked and saddened at the incident which involved the shooting of a tame temple elephant, from Maharagama. The female elephant Sita was shot by a Civil Defence Force (CDF) personnel, a “home guard”. This unfortunate incident highlights some important concerns about the safety of tame elephants. More importantly, it demands the authorities to take note of the calibre of uniformed persons issued weapons, in this case, the CDF guard. For the record thousands of CDF staff augment the police force for various duties, and this is perhaps the first time an incident occurred concerning one of their men. During the period of conflict, the CDF did a good service in protecting the remote border villages.
Firearm and shooter
The T-56 assault rifle has established itself as the standard weapon for the Police and CDF guards. In the 1980s, when the Type 56 rifle was introduced, most Western countries already used superior weapons, such as the M16, chambered for new-generation ammunition. The T-56 fires a 7.62 mm bullet. The weapon is extremely durable. It does not jam or misfire in the worst conditions possible.
Some of the questions raised by the angry public and some Buddhist clergy are, why couldn’t the CDF guard first identify that this was a tame elephant with her binding chains? The mahout claimed on TV news that people had shouted, that this was a tame elephant, during his brief absence. If perceived as a wild elephant why didn’t the CDF guard fire a warning burst into the air, to stop the advance of the elephant? The docile elephant never moved to begin with. She stood still even after being shot. This is a testament to her gentle ways and the Buddhist aura that has been around her. Sita deserves justice.
Were there any other CDF guards/ Wildlife Department officers/ Policemen on the scene and why didn’t they restrain this trigger-happy individual? Was there sufficient lighting by the river to enhance the safety of the resting elephants? When the Perahera is held thousands of people gather here, and with that kind of crowd and additional lights wild elephants would not come to this vicinity. This is the thought of many Buddhists I spoke to.
Was the CDF guard under the influence of liquor, as alleged? If so, this is a dangerous breach of duty and worse he was carrying an assault rifle. This is a total lack of self-discipline. He has no temperament and discernment in the use of his official weapon. Thankfully no civilians got injured. The irresponsible action of this CDF staff tarnishes the entire department.
The location of the shooter in a shooting incident is critical information that an investigator needs for scene reconstruction of a shooting event. However, this becomes challenging when the shooter’s location during an incident is not accurately available and endorsed by reliable eyewitnesses.
According to a retired Police officer, a ballistics expert, the bullet velocity of any weapon and its impact on the target is determined by the distance. Every gun has an effective firing range. In this case, the bullets had to be fired from close range because they didn’t deeply penetrate the innocent elephant (with its huge body mass absorbing the gun’s velocity). A human would have fallen dead. For such a penetration the gun must be fired from 150 meters. At closer range (as in this case) the “revolving power” of the bullet had not fully started. Many opine the shooter had criminal intent to kill Sita, if not he could have fired away from the elephant.
Human factors also come into play; the firearm’s position and grip, are identified as main factors having profound effects on spent cartridge case ejection patterns. Therefore, dispersion patterns by the shooter and different firing angles may be considered and analysed.
Gunshot wounds
Gunshot wounds are classified as penetrating, perforating and avulsive. A penetrating wound is one in which there is only an entrance wound. A perforating wound is one in which there are both entry and exit wounds. An avulsive wound also has both entry and exit wounds but with substantial loss of tissue. Some weeks ago we saw the majestic tusker Agbo, fall victim to an illegal trap gun in the forest. Nobody was responsible for the gunshot and suffering of this amazing tusker, although he received excellent medical care.
Peradeniya University’s Veterinary Department Senior Professor Dr. Asoka Dangolla said seven bullets have entered the body above the heart of ‘Sita’, the female elephant. Dr. Asoka Dangolla said that after a scan, a firm conclusion can be reached regarding the extent to which the bullets that penetrated the skin near the upper part of the elephant’s front left leg have travelled in the body’s internal system. He further said that in the current situation, it is not possible to treat Sita in an unconscious state. Prof. Dangolla said that even though the animal has been fed as usual, there may be some changes in the condition of the animal in the next three days. On Monday the amiable Professor said a team had been dispatched to take an X-ray of the injured elephant. The treatment of gunshot wounds is a costly exercise.
Wildlife enthusiasts say when staff are working around or interacting with the elephants, the elephants should be able to be seen and their movements/behaviour observed at all times within their indoor enclosures or outdoor areas. Indoor facilities must provide adequate room for elephants to move about and lie down without restriction. Outdoor habitats must provide sufficient space and environmental complexity to both allow for and stimulate natural behavioural activities and social interactions resulting in healthy adapted elephants.
Safety
Tethering is an integral part of responsible, everyday elephant management in human care. Facilities all around the world use ropes and chains to restrain their elephants for a wide variety of reasons. Elephants are typically transported in custom semi-trailers, specifically designed for moving elephants. Elephants should be provided with food and water at regular intervals during the transport. Elephants weigh many tons and need extra stabilisation while in motion in a motor vehicle. Safety is the priority, so it’s important to make sure any transport goes smoothly, protecting the elephants and mahouts involved.
The Department of Wildlife Conservation must have more practical and safe guidelines and protocols for elephant care. They must be taught to all mahouts across the nation. These laws and protocols must be enforced and duly updated. The bond between mahouts and elephants is built on love and trust.
Buddhism talks about elephants. In the life of the noble Buddha, he was suddenly confronted by an enraged tusker named Nalagiri. The calm Buddha stood still, and with his love and affection stopped and calmed the elephant. The universal example of the Buddha should be practised in Sri Lanka, with regards to both wild and tame elephants. Sita is a gentle elephant. Sita deserves justice.
