The Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society is a leader, a pioneer and an innovator when it comes to addressing pressing wildlife conservation challenges! The empirical results of our efforts, emulation of our concepts by other organizations, and the international and national awards and accolades we have received over the years is our testimony.
Twenty-five years ago, when we came up with the concept of fencing elephants “out” and not “in” protected areas little did we realize that our innovative idea will become the only answer that the elephant experts in Sri Lanka have as a solution to the escalating human elephant conflicts (HEC). In 2022 alone 433 elephants and 145 people have died as a result of HEC in Sri Lanka. In Wasgamuwa, where we have been implementing our innovative ideas, no elephants or people have died this year, a further testimony to the effectiveness of the initiatives implemented by the SLWCS.
The latest trend among conservationists and elephant experts is promulgating the idea of human elephant co-existence. While the coexistence idea is good to listen to and read about, it is impossible to implement mainly because the factors that drive conflicts with elephants have not been addressed at all. The SLWCS will always keep moving on—in our commitment to bring effective and sustainable solutions to mitigate HEC, which is one of Sri Lanka’s biggest ecological, economic, political, and social concerns. Our current efforts are focused on developing sustainable economic solutions to create tolerance in rural farmers towards elephants.
Wish You All A Very Happy New Year!