Kavantissa, Sri Lanka's Record-Setting Bull, Dies at 45 From Leg Wound
The 5,500-kilogram elephant died in October after villagers found a gunshot injury, underscoring rising human-elephant conflict.
By Chioma Brooks ·
Kavantissa, a male elephant believed to be approximately 45 years old, died on October 16 following a gunshot wound to his right leg. The animal was recognized as the tallest living male elephant in Sri Lanka, standing roughly 3.3 meters high and weighing an estimated 5,500 kilograms. His range covered the northwest region near the village of Galgamuwa.
In late September, local residents observed the elephant limping. A subsequent examination revealed the bullet wound, prompting veterinary surgeons to intervene. Despite medical treatment, the elephant did not survive the injury.
Sri Lanka reports the highest annual number of elephant deaths globally, as well as the second-highest number of human fatalities resulting from violent encounters with the species. Official data indicates that since 2019, an average of 370 elephants and 125 people have died each year in these incidents. Most conflicts occur when elephants move into agricultural land to raid crops.
The island nation hosts approximately 10% of the world's Asian elephant population within a region that comprises only 2% of the species' total natural range. This creates the highest density of Asian elephants anywhere on Earth. The Sri Lankan subspecies is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List and is protected by national law, which includes fines and potential jail terms for wildlife offenses. Nevertheless, animals continue to be shot, poisoned, struck by trains, or killed by explosives hidden in food.
Ravi Corea, president of the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society, attributed the conflict to habitat loss, agricultural expansion, and fragmented elephant corridors. He noted that rural populations have grown from 8.25 million in 1960 to 17.8 million in 2020, driving the clearing of land for farming. The Department of Wildlife Conservation estimated the wild elephant population at 7,451 in 2024, with about 70% living outside protected areas. Each elephant requires roughly 150 kilograms of green matter daily, often leading them toward human settlements.
Corea stated that crop losses threaten the primary income source for many rural families. Although a national action plan was drafted in 2020, he argued it requires a comprehensive conservation strategy with enforceable habitat protection. Community programs have shown some success; for example, the Project Orange Elephant initiative in the Wasgamuwa region encourages farmers to grow citrus crops that elephants avoid. Additionally, the EleFriendly bus service in the same area has reduced dangerous encounters along its route by more than 90% by transporting schoolchildren safely through elephant corridors.
Kamal Shashendra, an environmental ethics researcher based in Sri Lanka, said any just solution must protect human lives, livelihoods, and elephant populations simultaneously. He emphasized the need for scientifically informed land-use planning, protected corridors, and fair compensation for affected families.
