A passenger train collision with a wild elephant herd near Sri Lanka’s Minneriya National Park has left six elephants dead, including four calves, reigniting concerns about wildlife conservation in the region. The incident occurred just 200 kilometers from Colombo, a hotspot for tourists seeking encounters with elephants in their natural habitat.
Local authorities confirmed the train derailed after impact, though no passengers were injured. Hasini Sarathchandra of Sri Lanka’s wildlife department stated,
We are investigating how this tragedy unfolded within a protected corridor.Footage from the scene showed mangled rail compartments, underscoring the force of the collision.
Minneriya National Park forms part of a vital elephant corridor linking Kaudulla and Wasgamuwa parks. These pathways are critical for elephants migrating in search of food and water. However, recent data reveals alarming trends:
- 24 elephant-train deaths recorded in 2023
- 9 fatalities reported in 2024 so far
Experts attribute the rising collisions to shrinking habitats. When forests disappear, elephants risk their lives crossing tracks,explained conservationist Anil Jasinghe. Sri Lanka’s elephant population has plummeted from 14,000 in the 1800s to 6,000 today, per official census data.
While the government enforces anti-poaching laws, activists demand expanded habitat protection zones and speed restrictions on trains near wildlife areas. Tourism operators fear such incidents could deter visitors drawn to Sri Lanka’s famed elephant safaris.
