Sri Lanka, Sept. 28 -- The Department of Wildlife Conservation decided to take legal action against drivers who illegally feed wild elephants along the Kataragama-Buttala Road.

Motorists feeding elephants-either by stepping out of vehicles or remaining inside-have accustomed the animals to staying near the roadway.

Wildlife officials pointed out that this practice led to a sharp rise in elephant-caused vehicle damage.

Around eight wild elephants along this stretch now routinely stop vehicles to obtain food.

Over 2,000 vehicles travel daily along this road, which runs through Block 02 of the Yala National Park.

Elephant attacks along this road claimed the lives of three women and two men over the past six years.

Reports indicate that...