Sri Lanka, Oct. 28 -- The Human-elephant conflict has become an urgent issue in Sri Lanka, with frequent encounters leading to crop damage, injuries, and sometimes the tragic loss of life. Yet, history shows us that coexistence is possible if approached with care, respect, and understanding.

In the 1960s, our village of Oyapahala in Matale was a quiet place where the road ended at a suspension bridge over the river. We never had a dog, but we had Menikeh, a gentle elephant who was part of our family.

Our family ran a timber business, and Menikeh was more than a pet; she was a living crane, helping load and unload heavy logs with ease. Yet, she was never just a tool. Each morning, she would walk to the house and extend her trunk into the...