A wild elephant and its calf were killed after becoming entangled in an illegally installed electric wire at a farmland in the Jothi Amuna area of Maligawila, Okkampitiya.
According to wildlife officials, the animals died instantly after coming into contact with the electrified wire, which had been set up to protect a large-scale cultivation of sugarcane, papaya, banana, and paddy from wild animals.
The deceased animals have been identified as a 20-year-old elephant, measuring approximately six feet in height, and a one-year-old calf standing about four feet tall.Wildlife officers have arrested an individual who was guarding the property at the time of the incident. Meanwhile, the owner of the land where the illegal electric wire was installed has reportedly fled the area and is currently in hiding.
Officials from the Department of Wildlife Conservation, together with the Okkampitiya Police, have launched investigations and are conducting operations to apprehend the landowner.
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