She-elephant killed by ‘hakka patas’

Another cow elephant died of serious injuries caused by a ‘Hakka Patas’, an illegal explosive device used by hunters, yesterday at Mediafarm in Settiku- lam.

Wildlife officials said they rushed to the scene on information from the public that an injured she-ele- phant and her calf were lying in a shrub jungle in Mediafarm near Menikfarm, but the elephant had died before they reached the location. Wildlife Conservation Officer W.J.K. Herath said the calf was about a year old tusker and that it had run into the jungle.

The autopsy was to be held yesterday by the Veterinary Surgeon of the North Western Wildlife Range Dr. Chandana Jayasinghe.