Sri Lanka, Jan. 29 -- The Department of Wildlife Conservation states that wild elephant deaths have decreased in 2024 compared to the previous year.

According to reports, 388 wild elephants have died this year, a decline from 488 deaths in 2023. The department attributes this reduction to various conservation programs aimed at mitigating elephant fatalities.

Last year, the highest number of wild elephant deaths was recorded in the Eastern Wildlife Zone, with 81 cases, followed by 78 in the Polonnaruwa Wildlife Zone, 53 in Anuradhapura, and 43 in Uva.

Among the causes of elephant deaths, 84 were due to shootings, 56 to electrocution, 52 to poaching, and others due to poisoning, train accidents, road accidents, and falls into cultivation...