Protecting Wild Elephants in Sri Lanka from Train Accidents
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by
scott
After the tragic train accident that took the lives of an entire elephant family — six elephants killed instantly and another that fled into the forest before passing away — a total of seven elephants lost in one devastating event in February 2025, our team was contacted by the Government of Sri Lanka to assist in developing preventive measures to stop further injuries and deaths of elephants.
In the past year alone, nearly 500 wild elephants have died due to human causes. Among these, vehicle and train collisions have been among the major reasons for their loss.
We have been working closely with the President’s team and the task force led by Dr. Dammika Patabendi, the Minister of Environment, to coordinate collaborative efforts. With the support of our global partner organizations, our first mission was completed swiftly — warning signs have been installed along all areas where wild elephants frequently cross railways and roads, covering a total of 233 kilometres.
Our next project will focus on implementing the Ele-Alert System, an innovative elephant early warning technology designed to protect both human lives and property in areas affected by human-elephant conflict.
“My work for elephants knows no borders. Wherever help is needed, I am ready to go. Because for me, elephants have no nationality — they are beings worthy of protection and compassion.” – Saengduean Chailert
Through this project, Save Elephant Foundation is partnering with world-class technology teams who have stepped forward to help ensure the most effective solutions for wild elephants. We will share more updates with you all once our next phase is complete.
