Fall of 'DALA POOTUWA' Illegal ivory trade calls

for tighter laws and more vigilance

2017-12-05

Elephants have begun to walk their path to

extinction. Once a majestic being of the wild that every human feared could be
shot dead in seconds today. With the recent killing of the Galgamuwa Dala
Poottuwa and another tusker in Karuwalagaswewa, the greed for prestige and
a few million bucks has clearly surfaced.

According to legend, the first interaction of a man and an elephant in Sri Lanka
dates back to the First Century BC which was recorded on an inscription in
Navalar Kulam in Panama Pattu of the Eastern Province. The inscription
mentions a religious benefaction by a prince who was designated by an
AthAcharya or a Master of the Elephant Establishment. But with the
introduction of peraheras (Pageants) during the Kandyan era, elephants became
a symbol of prestige and fell prey to the elite.

The human-elephant dealings lie on two extremes; the animals have been used
during times of war by royal families or poached for their ivory. At present more
elephants are killed than they are born and short term interventions
implemented thus far will definitely not save an animal like the elephant who
enjoys a lengthy lifespan. According to the Department of Wildlife Conservation
(DWC), the number of tuskers in the wild remain as low as 55. This number will
further drop if proper conservation methods arent implemented.
Keeping this in mind, the Daily Mirror sheds light on the recent attack on the
majestic Dala Poottuwa, state interventions and suggested conservation
methods for elephants in Sri Lanka.

Galgamuwa Dala Poottuwa

Also known as the Heritage of Wayamba, the Galgamuwa tusker was a well-
built elephant of over 12 feet in height and is said to have been over 50 years
old. The tusker was blinded in one eye following a shooting incident that had
taken place several years ago. This was just six months before its tragic killing.
Before the killing, DWC officials were treating this majestic being in
Siyambalangamuwa. He had the habit of frequenting Kala Wewa and the
Siyambalangamuwa forest reserves. According to area residents in
Siyambalangamuwa, this tusker was known to be an innocent creature when
compared to other elephants who frequented the village and caused damage.

The tusker started making headlines on November 23, 2017 when two tusks,
with a unique curvature and similar to those of Dala Poottuwa, were found in
Nikawewa, a remote village in the Moragollagama Grama Seva Division. Two
suspects, a Grama Niladhari and a retired Police constable, who was in
possession of these tusks and six ivory gemstones (Gaja Muthu), were arrested
by the Walana Anti-Corruption Unit.
Following this find, a team comprising Special Task Force (STF) and five groups
including DWC officials and Police commenced a search operation on November
27 to find the tusker, alive or dead. Following a tip-off, a plot of land in
Thibbotuwawa too was excavated in several places in search of its remains. This
land also belonged to one of the suspects in custody. Despite being futile, the
search operations were continued. In the end the body was found in a forest
reserve bordering SorowWewa on November 29. Upon discovering its body,
officials were yet to confirm whether it was a killing. However, the body was in
a rotten state as the elephants remains were two-three weeks old.

The post-mortem was conducted on November 30 by two veterinarians namely,

Dr. Tharaka Prasad and Dr. Chandana Jayasinghe from Colombo and
Anuradhapura respectively. According to A. H Sumanasena, Assistant Director of
DWC in Siyambalangamuwa, the observations confirmed that the body
belonged to this tusker. The post-mortem revealed that the elephant had been
killed as a result of being fired at with a shotgun. Ten (10) bullets were found in
its head. Investigations further confirmed that the elephant would have died
due to brain damage. A wound in its left hind leg, which was under medication a
few months ago, further confirmed the identity of Dala Poottuwa.

That night itself, five more suspects were arrested by Polpithigama Police
following a tip-off received by the CID in the Nikawaratiya and Ambanpola
areas. Two tusk cutting saws, part of a hand saw, two pendants made of ivory,
one ivory talisman, part of an elephant tusk and organic ivory gemstone (Gaja
Muthu) were found when the suspects were taken in to custody.
Perpetrators will be severely dealt with
-Gamini Jayawickrama Perera
 Subject Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera said
that although five suspects have been arrested, investigations have now been
handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The law is very
weak and we have to change the entire act. There has to be strict penalties
imposed in order to put these culprits behind bars. In order to ensure harmony
between people and these elephants we have implemented many solutions, but
people still consider them as threats. Earlier if a person died or got disabled or
wounded in a Human Elephant Conflict (HEC) they were given only Rs.
200,000 but I raised this amount to Rs. 500,000. In terms of crop damage we
also introduced insurance schemes for farmers. So under these circumstances I
dont understand the reason behind these killings,said Perera.
The law is very weak and we have to change the entire act. There has to be
strict penalties imposed in order to put these culprits behind bars
Speaking about the Galgamuwa tuskers incident the Minister said that when
the DWC officials visited the suspects house they had been making jewelry
items out of tusks. In such instances people should give tip-offs and keep our
officials informed. Theres a shortage of manpower in the Department and its a
challenge for the officers to be travelling everywhere as and when they receive
news. Sometimes they work day and night to ensure the safety of animals.
Another worry I have is regarding the reports that there have been many
incidents where baby elephants have been tied up for weeks. Several months
earlier we saw elephants swimming in the sea. Therefore there are many
organized groups aiming at keeping elephants in captivity for various purposes
and these matters need to be probed. But we wont tolerate crimes of this
nature taking place and the perpetrators will be severely dealt with,said the
minister.

Nobody can get away with killing an animal

-Jagath Gunawardena

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, senior environmental lawyer and

wildlife enthusiast Jagath Gunawardena said that elephants are a protected
species under the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance (FFPO). From Section
12 till 24, this fact is quite clear. Section 12 mentions that no one can injure or
harm an elephant, while Section 22 (A) states that its an offence to retain a tusk
or part of a tusk of an elephant except in accordance to a permit. Those who
illegally retain tusks in their possession could be punished according to the
Public Property Act (PPA).
The illegal capture of elephants has been continuing for years and this issue of
elephants hasnt been a single one. There are many aspects that must be
considered. First we have to build a public perception that nobody can get away
with after killing an animal. But if the law doesnt stand firm, people wont
hesitate to kill an animal or do any crime for that matter and get away with.
First we have to build a public perception that nobody can get away with after
killing an animal
I have observed a lack of power, adequate facilities and low morality in people
who handle these issues, said Gunawardena who is quite concerned about
conserving these species. If the law could be that lenient to allow those in power
to keep elephants in captivity in their houses for everybody to see, then killing a
wild elephant is an act that anybody could get away with. Such impunity
therefore is dangerous. In terms of trading, once again Section 24 states that
nobody can retain parts of animals in their possession unless issued through
permits. The DWC gets some information and sadly theres a delay in
implementing the law and prosecuting the perpetrators, said Gunawardena.
Only 5% of Sri Lankan male elephants have tusks
- Dr.Prithiviraj Fernando
Airing his views on this regard, elephant researcher and Chairman of Centre for
Conservation and Research (CCR), Dr.Prithiviraj Fernando said that biologically
there is no greater difference between tuskers and non-tuskers. In African
elephants, both males and females have tusks. But in Asian elephants the males
have tusks. The Sri Lankan elephant population has close to 5% of males that
have tusks when compared to the elephant population in India where 95% of
males have tusks. The reduction in our tusker population is mainly due to
capturing them and taking them out of the wild. Culturally, people have a high
regard for tusks and these practices have continued for years, he warned.

Voicing out his concerns on the aggravating HEC, Dr. Fernando further said that
various activities are being carried out in terms of agriculture development.
Unfortunately most of these activities done are confrontational. As a result
elephants become quite aggressive due to these confrontational practices and
the matter has escalated over the past few months. Non-confrontational
methods such as electric fencing need to be encouraged, but they cant be done
single-handedly. Its important that we implement the law. If we dont do that,
we will be encouraging people to commit more crimes. We shouldnt be
encouraging illegal practices such as killing elephants for tusks,affirmed Dr.
Fernando. When inquired from U.L Thaufeeq, DWC Deputy Director for Elephant
conservation, he said that those found guilty of killing an elephant or other
animals protected under the FFPO, they will have to serve a two-year jail term
and pay a fine of five lakhs.
Only 5% of Sri Lankan male elephants have tusks
No temple needs tusks, elephants or GajaMuthu for prestige says Ven.
Ananda Sagara Thera
Keeping this in mind, the Daily Mirror spoke to the Convener of the National
Environmental Guild, Ven. Pahiyangala Ananda Sagara Thera. Ven. Sagara
Thera said that according to this new wave of Buddhism, it is a must to keep
elephants and tusks in temples. During the time of the Buddha when He
couldnt persuade the monks in Kosamb from quarrelling, He left Kosamb alone
to Prileyyaka Forest. Here an elephant, who had given up communal life,
attended to the needs of the Buddha. When Buddha left for Jethavanaya, this
elephant and several other animals followed Him towards the boundary of that
forest. Upon seeing his departure, the elephant died due to being broken heart.
If Buddhism spoke about possessing elephants and tusks, this would have been
an ideal occasion for the Buddha to preach the importance of keeping elephants
and tusks in a temple. But He never preached on these lines. Elephants and
other animals belong to the wild and they should die in their own habitats, the
priest said.
But the regime change definitely hasnt helped this cause much. Surprisingly,
the transaction of the tusks in this incident was also carried out at a temple in
Nikawewa. Does this indirectly mean that temples are promoting the message
of cruelty to elephants or any animal for that matter?
Ven. Sagara Thera further said that by preaching bana with two tusks on either
side just promotes one thing and that is cruelty to elephants. These practices
will only encourage the inception of a cruel society. We say May All beings be
free of cruelty and then do the opposite. If you go to a temple, you see an
elephant in the backyard, two tusks in the living room or the entrance of the
temple and GajaMuthu in its relic casket. Doesnt these show how cruel this
religion has become? I believe that a case should be filed immediately against
everybody from that GramaNiladhari to the retired Police officer. All other
suspects should be prosecuted. Several tusks have also been found from various
places where other incidents took place. I believe that we should destroy them
once again as was done some time back at Galle Face Green. No temple needs
tusks, elephants or GajaMuthu for their prestige, Ven. Sagara Thera said.

Indication of an illegal ivory trade taking root in Sri Lanka says Manori
Gunawardena
 Commenting on this issue, ManoriGunawardena, Country Representative of
Born Free Foundation, said that the arrest of persons linked to an organized
network of ivory traders and poachers should not be considered an isolated
incident. Its an indication that an illegal ivory trade is taking root in Sri Lanka.
The target killing of tuskers is worrying and it calls for increased vigilance and
action among all law enforcement agencies,said Gunawardena.

Will Sri Lanka and the world over, ever identify the value of elephants beyond
ivory? (Pics by Sunil Kahagalla Yapahuwa)
Posted by Thavam