The fall of Kavantissa: A call for better elephant protection

Kavantissa, a tusker residing in the Galgamuwa and Anuradhapura regions, was considered the largest tusker in Sri Lanka due to his impressive tusks. Known for crossing the Ambanpola–Galgamuwa road near the Kasikote railway line, Kavantissa's home range overlapped with that of another elephant named Bathiya. After Bathiya's death from gunshot wounds in the previous year, concerns arose about Kavantissa's safety, as he shared similar territory.

Following Bathiya's demise, several wildlife enthusiasts called for enhanced protection for Kavantissa, even proposing a presidential decree similar to the one granted to Ahmed, an elephant in Kenya. Although Kavantissa did not receive special government protection, volunteers stepped in to help, such as stopping traffic for elephants crossing the road and developing an app called 'Elephant Journey' to track elephants and alert locals to potential dangers.

On 20 September, Kavantissa was found limping with a gunshot wound and received veterinary treatment. Although his condition showed signs of improvement, he later developed diarrhea and lost his appetite. Tragically, he was found collapsed on 16 October, and died later that evening. Some experts suggested Kavantissa may have suffered an antibiotic overdose, but the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) denied these allegations.

The circumstances surrounding his death warrant further investigation, though a thorough veterinary examination would be required to determine if an overdose contributed to his passing.