DRONES SUCCESSFULLY DRIVE AWAY WILD ELEPHANTS IN PUTTALAM

Drones were deployed to control wild elephants in Thalladiya, Puttalam on Friday, December 7, by the Department of Wildllife Conservation.

“Drones with cameras are used in a ten-day operation implemented by the Department of Wildlife Conservation to prevent wild elephants destroying cultivation,” a officer said.

“More than 50 wild elephants are roaming in the uncleared private lands and reserves in the territory of Anamaduwa and Puttalam Divisional Secretary’ Divisions,” he said.

“These drone cameras were given by the Anuradhapura Airforce Camp on the request of Divisional Secretary of Puttalam, Sanjeevani Herath,” he said.

Assistant Director of Wild Life W.M.K.S. Chandraratne said that drones would help minimize the use of elephant crackers in addition to reducing the time taken to drive away wild elephants.

“The drones can locate the elephants precisely,” he said.

He said this was the first time drone cameras were used to drive away wild elephants.

Officials said that the Department of Wildllife Conservation had taken steps to drive away wild elephants to Sellakanda Reserve in a 10-day operation and had also managed to strengthen the electric fence.

Private institutions of the area, Divisional Secretariat of Puttalam and Puttalam Police Headquarters contributed to success for this operation.