The Department of Wildlife Conservation has taken steps to initiate legal action against motorists and passengers who feed food to wild elephants along the Kataragama–Buttala Road.

Wildlife officials say feeding the elephants has caused them to become accustomed to staying near the road, resulting in an increase in incidents where the animals attack vehicles.

Around eight wild elephants have reportedly become accustomed to stopping vehicles along the Kataragama–Buttala Road to obtain food.

More than 2,000 vehicles travel along the road each day. The route is used by pilgrims travelling to Kataragama as well as a large number of people travelling to Monaragala, Wellawaya, Bandarawela and other areas.

There have also been instances where elephants have attempted to attack and overturn vehicles when food was not provided to them.

Recently, an elephant attacked a bus, causing it to overturn and injuring around 40 individuals.

Wildlife officials state that over the past six years, five people, including three women and two men, have died in attacks by wild elephants on vehicles.

They further noted that more than 100 vehicles are damaged annually due to elephant attacks.

Although the public is permitted to travel along this road, which falls within Block 2 of Yala National Park, the Department of Wildlife Conservation stresses that getting out of vehicles and feeding wild animals is illegal.

Officials also pointed out that during the COVID-19 pandemic, when vehicular traffic was restricted, the elephants did not remain along the road and instead fed on natural food sources within the forest.

According to the Department, bus and safari jeep drivers have caused the elephants to become accustomed to receiving food from vehicles.

Uva Province Assistant Director of Wildlife W.A. Indrajith said vehicles involved in feeding the elephants would be video-recorded, and legal action would be taken against the individuals concerned under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance for causing harm to wild animals.