Sri Lanka, once a sanctuary for the revered Asian elephant, is now witnessing a silent massacre.

 As of July 15, 2025, 224 elephants have died in just six months — 116 due to human actions: Gunshots, Electrocutions, Homemade explosives, Poisonings,Train & road collisions.

Many of these killings are intentional and brutal, especially targeting male elephants vital to the species’ survival. The tragic death of Bhathiya, a beloved tusker, highlights the cruelty and lack of accountability  no arrests, no justice.

 A major cause: the uncontrolled spread of illegal firearms in rural areas. Over 4,000 guns were recently distributed, fueling elephant killings. Wildlife protection forces are understaffed, underfunded, and overwhelmed.

 More than 3,480 elephants have died in the past 9 years — faster than they can reproduce. Without urgent action, Sri Lanka may lose its elephants forever.

We Call on WWF Germany, Big Life Foundation, and the United Nations to:

 1,Demand immediate action against illegal weapons.

  2 ,Support Sri Lanka’s under-resourced wildlife services.

 3, Fund peaceful human-elephant coexistence programs.

 4,Launch independent investigations into elephant killings.

 5,Recognize the urgency of this crisis under international law.

 The world must act , before it's too late.

 Sign now to protect Sri Lanka’s elephants from extinction.

Subhashini Wipfler

 Chair, The Mother Association e.V.