Tragic Train Collision Claims Lives of Six Elephants in Sri Lanka

The tragic accident occurred early Thursday near a wildlife reserve in central Sri Lanka, raising alarms about the high number of fatalities in human-elephant encounters, with previous incidents showing alarming trends.

A passenger train derailed after striking a herd of elephants near a wildlife reserve in central Sri Lanka early on Thursday. The incident, which took place in Habarana—located east of the capital Colombo—resulted in the tragic deaths of six elephants. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the train passengers, but two elephants sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical attention, according to local police. This incident marks one of the most severe wildlife accidents the country has witnessed, as reported by AFP.

In Sri Lanka, train collisions with elephants are not an uncommon occurrence, as the island nation grapples with high casualty rates in human-elephant interactions. Last year alone, more than 170 people and nearly 500 elephants died due to these encounters. On average, about 20 elephants are killed each year by trains, indicating a dire situation for the country's elephant population, which faces challenges from habitat loss and fragmented resources.

Deforestation and the encroachment of human activities into their habitats have pushed elephants closer to populated areas. In light of this incident, some experts have called for train operators to reduce speeds and utilize horn signals to warn elephants of approaching trains. The dangers of this situation were evident in 2018 when a pregnant elephant and its two calves were killed in a similar accident in Habarana while crossing the tracks at dawn.

In October of last year, another train struck a herd in Minneriya, located about 25 kilometers (15 miles) from Habarana, resulting in the deaths of two elephants and injuries to another. Sri Lanka is home to approximately 7,000 wild elephants, and the animals hold significant cultural importance, especially among the nation’s Buddhist majority. Laws protecting these creatures impose severe penalties, including imprisonment or heavy fines, for killing an elephant, which adds urgency to addressing the crisis that threatens their survival.