ReadingAnimals

The BBC has done a fine job, and apparently something few others have thought to do, by considering the devastating effects of war on wildlife - in this case elephants in Sri Lanka.

The multiple threats that arise from war between people, the guerrilla tactics used by people against elephants due to conflict and other perhaps less intentional, but still lethal consequences of sharing time and space have had devastating effects. According to the BBC,

“Of the 74 elephants which died in the north and north-west region last year, 44 were killed by gunfire.

The others fell victim to poison, were deliberately electrocuted by farmers who connected wire fences to the mains, or fell down wells.

Just four died of natural causes.”

Elephants are not charging onto the scenes of firefights, the so called “front line.” Rather, they are collateral damage.

The people of Sri Lanka suffer because of the war as well, and this is equally troubling. In general, I think that conditions that put animals at risk put humans at risk. I am heartened that there are efforts to reduce human-elephant conflict even given the current security climate in Sri Lanka. For example, the article mentioned the planting of elephant foods in areas adjacent to farms where raiding has been an issue, and formal training for government employees, who are now discouraged from using weapons against elephants.