The Department of Wildlife Conservation will seek a court order on Saturday, 17 October, to carry out a post-mortem examination on Kavantissa, one of Sri Lanka’s largest and tallest wild tuskers.
The elephant died on Friday after treatment for serious gunshot injuries. He was found collapsed in a paddy field in the Siyambalangamuwa wildlife area that morning, about two kilometres from where he had been treated the day before.
Veterinary teams from the department had treated him round the clock. The gunshot wound to his right front leg had shown signs of healing, but his condition reportedly worsened from dehydration after he stopped eating.
A team of experts, including specialists from the University of Peradeniya, is reported to be preparing to examine the remains to establish the cause of death.
Wildlife officials also discussed arrangements for the final rites on Friday night.
The post-mortem is expected to establish the circumstances of the death once the court order is granted.
