Wildlife officials in the Anuradhapura range have launched an investigation following the circulation of a video showing an individual setting fire to a wild elephant in the Seeppukulama, Ambagahawala in Mihintale.

The Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) stated that facts regarding the death of the elephant are scheduled to be reported to the court today (17).

In a statement, the DWC confirmed that the suspect responsible for setting the animal on fire has not yet been apprehended. Officials from the Anuradhapura Wildlife Range are currently conducting further investigations in collaboration with Army Intelligence to locate and arrest the individual.

According to the DWC, the elephant was a male, approximately 9 feet tall and between 50 and 55 years of age. The animal had a history of injuries, specifically a gunshot wound to its front left leg.

Officials from the Pandulagama Veterinary Office had previously located and treated the animal in the same area on three separate occasions: 14 May, 04 June, and 03 July. Although there were no subsequent reports regarding the elephant following the final treatment, Anuradhapura range officials had continued to monitor the animal.

Officials received information yesterday (16) that the elephant had collapsed on a plot of land in the Sippukulama, Ambagahawala area, suffering from both burn injuries and gunshot wounds.

Upon receiving the report, Anuradhapura wildlife officials alerted the Pandulagama Veterinary Office. A team led by Veterinary Surgeon Udeshika Maduwanthi arrived at the scene to administer emergency treatment. However, the elephant succumbed to its injuries while treatment was underway.