• DG says data to be released this year 

The Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) stated that the survey on wild elephants conducted last month (August) was successful and that it is expected to release the related data within another two months.

The Department conducted a countrywide survey on wild elephants on 17, 18, and 19 August.

When questioned about the survey results, the Director General (DG) of the Department, Chandana Sooriyabandara stated that the survey was conducted successfully. 

“Unlike a human census, we cannot count every elephant in the forests. Our method involves counting the elephants observed during the survey, and it was successful. We initially mentioned that the data would be released in about three months. The findings are currently under analysis and will be finalised within the next two months,” he said.

Explaining the purposes for which the collected data will be used in the future, he said that such data is essential for evaluating several aspects of elephant populations. “The collected data provides us with insights into population dynamics, such as stability, survival rates, and movement patterns. Additionally, the data helps identify potential threats to the population. We can decide on conservation efforts and other related matters based on these findings.”

The Department conducted the nationwide survey on wild elephants with a reported number of 3,130 survey centres that had been set up across the country. The survey involved staff from the department, other Government agencies, the security forces, private sector employees, higher education students, and volunteers. 

The last nationwide elephant census in 2011 estimated a minimum population of 5,879 elephants, with 55.09% adults, 25.03% young elephants, 12.04% calves, and 6.04% infants.