Sri Lanka, Oct. 17 -- Treating a wild elephant weighing four to five tonnes is a difficult and risky task, requiring veterinarians to work under challenging conditions, former Veterinary Officer at the Dehiwala National Zoological Park Dr. Jagath Jayasekara said, following the death of wild elephant Kavantissa.

Kavantissa died on Friday (16) while receiving treatment for an injury to its front right leg, after being found collapsed in the Siyambalangamuwa area.

Dr. Jayasekara said treating a wild elephant was considerably more difficult than treating a domesticated elephant or an animal in a zoo, as veterinarians often had to provide treatment in the field without being able to carry out routine medical tests.

When a wild elephant is ...