Wildlife officer attacked and killed by an elephant in Matale

COLOMBO(News 1st) - During an operation to chase away invading elephants in Rajjammana, Matale a Wildlife officer was attacked and killed by an elephant. A spokesperson attached to Rajjammana Wildlife office stated that the accident occurred in the morning. The Department of Wildlife launched an operation in an area under the purview of the Kaudulupenna Grama Niladhari division in the New Janapada region of Matale North after being informed of three wild elephants roaming in the region. A group of wildlife officers attached to the Rathgammana and Alahera Wildlife offices conducted the operation with the support of Police officers. The wild elephant had attacked an assistant zonal officer of the Wildlife department during the operation and the official had died. According to our correspondent, it took about 1 hour for the body of the deceased official to be recovered as wild elephants were roaming in the area. The deceased wildlife officer a 42-year-old attached to the Rathgammana wildlife office in Matale. The post mortem examination was conducted at the Matale Hospital. He was a father of one and a resident of Kumbuloluwa Kaikawela. A 55-year-old man was also killed by one of the three elephants, on the 29th of last month. He was attacked in Bogasboballa, Nalanda in Naula.