Drones used in Puttalam to track elephants and drive them back to Sellankanda sanctuary

The Wild Life Department has decided to use drones to track down wild elephants.

The technology was used for the first time in the Kaladi Galwela area in Puttalam to track elephants that often enter villages and destroy crops and harm the villagers.

It is believed that there are around 50 wild elephants in the area surrounding the Anamaduwa District Secretariat area in Puttalam.

Puttalam DS, Sajeewani Herath, said that the drones have been provided by the Sri Lanka Air Force base in Anuradhapura upon a request by the DS's office.

The drones are used to track down the areas where the elephants are and then once the location is zeroed in on, Wild Life officers will begin an elephant drive to get them back into the sanctuary. “This technically will help us save a lot of time detecting the wild elephants, Assistant Wild Life Director – Puttlam District M.K.S. Chandraratne said.

He added that this is the first time that drones are being used to detect the animals.

He said during a ten day opertaion, it is expected that the elephants will be driven into the Sellankanda sanctuary.

The Puttlam Police as well private organisations will assist in the operation he said.

During a ten day opertaion, it is expected that the elephants will be driven into the Sellankanda sanctuary.