Elephants are still becoming victims of the civil war even during the truce

Rescue attempts had failed to save three elephants wounded by landmines in the wanni jungles.

“The STF gave us the information about the wounded elephants.” Said the area veterinarian of Wayambe district Chandana Jayasinghe.

“I went out looking for the elephants with one of the rangers from the area. We did not find the elephants. Then we contacted the ICRC to obtain permission from the Tamil Tigers to enter their territory to go and treat the wounded elephants.” Says Dr. Jayasinghe.

We wanted to go with the STF to wanni jungles but the ICRC was not prepared to accompany the STF in to LTTE territory. Veterinarian Chandana Jayasinghe

The issues and concerns due to the security situation had put pressure on the mission says the veterinarian. “We wanted to go with the STF to wanni jungles but the ICRC was not prepared to accompany the STF in to LTTE territory. But we were concerned about our own safety. It was also difficult because we did not know where the land mines were. We do not know where the forward defence line is.”

Not having any arrangements or agreements with the LTTE on wildlife had made things worse says Chandana Jayasinghe. “Even for the ICRC to get permission for us took so many days. Sadly, we had to abandon the elephants without treating them.We do not have any agreement with the Tamil Tigers on the welfare of wildlife in the area. That makes our work extremely difficult.”

Three wounded elephants were reported to have died due to the injuries suffered as a result of the landmines. “There is no mechanism to prevent it happening again” says the veterinarian.