Do not feed the elephant!

Saturday, 6 September 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Srilal Miththapala Recently there was an urgent requirement to put up warning signs along the bund at Uda Walawe, to try and manage the famous Uda Walawe elephant Rambo, who has cultivated the habit of coming up to the electric fence and begging for food.

LTL Projects .Ltd readily came forward to help the Department of Wildlife and Conservation, and suitably designed signs warning passers-by not to feed wild elephants at the fence, were erected. In spite of these efforts, passersby still stop and feed Rambo, encouraged by the vendors who make a quick buck by selling fruits for feeding. As is the norm in Sri Lanka, rules and regulations can never be properly implemented! Although this may seem to be a mundane issue, it can lead to serious repercussions, both for the animal and people. By feeding the elephant, humans can pass down different types of germs, which the elephant is not resistant to, and it could get some form of serious diseases. In addition, although Rambo has been very docile so far, people should remember that he still a wild animal and interacting with him in such a manner is always fraught with danger. So there is always the danger that this seemingly entertaining and harmless activity could turn violent with disastrous consequences.