Poachers remove tusk while elephant lies injured

The tusk had been taken off the elephant yesterday in Kebethigollawa while he was lying injured. The elephant, about 40 years old, had been injured after a confrontation with another elephant and was being treated for his injuries by the Department of Wildlife Conservation office in Anuradhapura. The animal had been lying on a side because he was being treated for his injuries and had been immobile. A wildlife official said in a situation like this normally, the range is informed and they keep a watch on the elephant but the attack had happened when no one had been near the animal. A group of people, and not an individual, are likely to have been involved in the attack. The DWC has started an investigation into the incident.