Tragic sight: Elephants feed on landfill in Sri Lanka and die after eating plastic

Endangered elephants are foraging for food at a landfill, raising fears for their welfare. Two died over the weekend after ingesting plastic from an open dump in Pallakkadu, eastern Sri Lanka.

Current Mar 4, 2024 0 130 Add to Reading List

Tragic sight: Elephants feed on landfill in Sri Lanka and die after eating plastic

Local experts say the death toll has been around 20 over the past eight years. Local scientists say large amounts of plastic have been found in their stomachs. Nihal Pushpakumara, a wildlife veterinarian, said: “Polyethylene, food wrappers, plastic, other indigestible items and water were the only things we could see upon dissection." The number of elephants in the country has dropped from about 14,000 in the 19th century to 6,000 in 2011. They are becoming increasingly vulnerable due to the loss and degradation of their natural habitat. Many are at risk approach populated areas in search of food, and some are killed by poachers or farmers angered by damage to their crops.