Sri Lankan authorities have taken three men into custody following a brutal incident involving the fatal burning of a wild elephant, an act that has ignited national outrage and international condemnation. The suspects, aged 42 to 50, were apprehended on Thursday after video evidence of the attack circulated widely on social media.
The tragic event unfolded in a northern village where the men allegedly used flaming torches to chase the animal away. Despite receiving immediate and subsequent veterinary care for severe burns and a gunshot wound to its leg, the male elephant succumbed to its injuries on Tuesday. Reports indicate the same elephant had required veterinary treatment on multiple occasions earlier this year.
The case has sparked fierce backlash from animal rights advocates and the general public. A petition demanding full prosecution of the perpetrators and stronger preventative measures against animal cruelty has rapidly gathered over 400 signatures since its creation on Thursday.
This incident highlights the escalating human-wildlife conflict in Sri Lanka. Official statistics reveal nearly 400 elephant fatalities have occurred this year alone, with many deaths attributed to human activities including shootings, train collisions, and the use of ‘jaw bombs’—explosive devices set by farmers to protect crops. Conversely, elephant attacks have claimed the lives of more than 100 people during the same period.
Elephants hold sacred status in the predominantly Buddhist nation, where they play significant roles in religious ceremonies and represent an important cultural symbol. Under Sri Lankan law, killing an elephant is a capital offense that can carry the death penalty, according to the World Wildlife Fund.