Sri Lanka to set up joint wildlife-military center to protect elephants

The government will establish a joint operations center involving wildlife authorities and the armed forces to strengthen elephant protection and address human-elephant conflict, the Ministry of Environment said Friday.

The center will be based at Army Headquarters and will include wildlife officers, veterinarians and personnel from the three armed forces.

Authorities also plan to deploy special military teams in high-risk areas to monitor elephants considered vulnerable and track their movement routes.

The initiative will also focus on preventing elephant killings, the use of explosive bait known locally as "hakka patas," and other wildlife crimes through intensified joint raids.

Military personnel will receive special training from the Department of Wildlife Conservation on animal handling and field operations, while wildlife officers will be provided accommodation and research facilities at military camps.

The program will also use intelligence and drone capabilities and establish a more reliable system for gathering information on wildlife crimes.

Officials agreed to review operational data weekly and hold monthly progress meetings.