Metal shrapnel detected in elephant shot in Mahiyanganaya
Proposals to chase away elephants when trains approach include highpowered horns and powerful headlights on trains or devices along the tracks that activate flashing lights or produce loud sound. How elephants will react to such methods would need to be found out – the expression ‘deer caught in headlights’ comes to mind.
Preventing elephants crossing tracks by electric fences or railway girder fences sounds like an easy fix. However, elephants cross tracks because they bisect elephant homeranges. Preventing their crossing would result in elephants losing access to part of their home-range and starving to death. Therefore, if it works, one may save a few but kill ten times more – a typical case of the cure being worse than the malady.
Another approach is to enable elephants to cross railway tracks safely via underpasses. This is likely
The recent train accident in Galgamuwa
Ametal detector, scanning equipment, and an X-ray machine were used to detect metal shrapnel in the wounds 'Seetha' the female elephant suffered when it was shot by a civil defence guard after a perahera in Mahiyanganaya last week.
Prof Ashoka Dangolla, veterinarian and professor of the faculty of veterinary medicine and animal science at the Peradeniya University, told the Sunday Times that the scanning and the x-ray done by the Wild Life Department (DWC) and zoo vets showed that metal shrapnel was imbedded within one and a half centimetres to three centimetres deep in the tissue.
He said he used a metal detector used by security guards to confirm whether the shrapnel was metal. “The metal detector beeped” and confirmed that the elephant had metal shrapnel in its wounds. He also carried out surgery on one of the gunshot wounds on the elephant's left leg and found metal powder embedded in one and a half centimetres of the tissue.
“The skin near the gunshot wound was burned, and metal powder was embedded in the tissue; it’s not rubber or plastic, but it’s also not a pellet or a bullet. We believe this is not an ordinary bullet available on the market, and it could be something made by someone,” he said.
He added that the scan and pathologist's reports revealed that there was metal shrapnel within the animal’s gunshot wounds.
Prof Dangolla said there is no point in opening the rest of the gunshot wounds and causing unnecessary pain to the animal as the shrapnel has not reached its vital organs. He believes that the wounds need to heal while shrapnel remains in the animal’s body.
The police have obtained a court order and sent the retrieved shrapnel to the Government Analyst.
Owner S M Roshan, alias ‘Ali Roshan’, said the female elephant was taken to Kiribath Kumbura on Thursday evening as it would give easy access to the veterinary specialists such as Prof Dangolla and the Peradeniya University veterinary specialists to monitor and carry out further treatments. The elephant would be held at another elephant owner's residence.
Mr Roshan said he tried to file a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department of the Police. He added that as investigations are being done by the areaPolice and a case is ongoing at the Mahiyanganaya Magistrate's Courts, he had been asked to report the incident to the Inspector General of Police. He added that he plans to write to the IGP.
He also suspects that the elephant might have been intentionally shot, as he had some issues with the DWC and that there is also a dispute between the villagers of Mahiyanganaya and one of his mahouts.
“A civil defence guard attached to the DWC has shot the animal, and it is revealed that the shrapnel is metal; this should not happen again. Seetha has an owner; therefore, we can care for her. What about the wild elephants? Does the DWC shoot wild elephants with metal ammunition? This is why I am calling for an investigation,’’ he
A team comprising the Dean of Peradeniya University’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Animal Science, Professor Anil Pushpakumara, DWC officials and police personnel from Peradeniya and Mahiyanganaya police stations checking on Seetha
The skin near the gunshot wound was burned, and metal powder was embedded in tissue; it’s not rubber or plastic, but it’s also not a pellet or a bullet. We believe this is not an ordinary bullet available on the market, and it could be something made by someone”
said. Meanwhile, the Director in Charge of Wildlife Health, Dr Tharaka Prasaad, who is one of the committee members appointed to investigate, declined to comment, claiming that it would hamper an independent investigation. A veterinary surgeon from the National Zoological Gardens is also a member of the committee.
Dr Akalanka Pinidiya, the DWC veterinary surgeon who initially treated Seetha, said he arrived at Mahiyanganaya around 4 am last Saturday. He said that he, too, gave a statement to the committee.
Meanwhile, DWC sources confirmed that the team of wildlife officials has failed to record the inventory of weapons used during the incident.
Police media spokesman Nihal Thalduwa said the Police have not officially received a medical report on the elephant.
The suspect has been released on Rs 100,000 surety bail. Blood and urine samples of the suspect were taken and produced in court, he said.
The police have taken the shotgun and three repeater guns into custody and produced them in court.
DWC Director General Chandana Sooriyabandara declined to comment, saying that a committee would investigate. The report would be handed to the ministry secretary. There is also a court case on the incident.
He said strict action would be taken against any wildlife official if found guilty.