The Department of Wildlife Conservation says human-elephant conflicts have declined significantly this year compared to the previous year.

Director General Ranjan Marasinghe stated that, according to data recorded up to 21 August, 207 wild elephants have died and 88 people have lost their lives due to human-elephant conflicts so far this year.

He urged the public to remain vigilant, noting that wild elephant movements have increased due to the prevailing dry weather conditions.