For over a month, efforts have been under way to save the life of the magnificent tusker Bathiya. Shot by an unidentified persons multiple times, his condition has only worsened with time. His front right leg remains severely swollen, and the sole of the other foot has been completely torn off. Bathiya is also suffering from two gunshot wounds, one to his trunk, which has made eating difficult, and another on his body, which has since become infected further.
However, as Bathiya’s condition continues to deteriorate, it has sparked growing public debate over the quality of veterinary care provided by the Department of Wildlife. Environmental activists on social media have widely called for a formal departmental inquiry, alleging negligence and inadequate treatment by the veterinarians responsible. Many believe that the lack of timely and appropriate medical intervention has now brought the elephant to the brink of death.
Oversights and outdated practices
Environmentalists say Bathiya had been shot in his front right leg, and the untreated wound had worsened, eventually causing him to collapse in a water pit in Manigama. He was discovered by Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) rangers on May 19, by which time the injury had severely deteriorated, his leg was badly swollen and nearly useless. What followed was a desperate race against time to save him. But for many environmentalists and concerned citizens, that race was already compromised, marred allegedly by critical missteps and a growing belief that Bathiya’s suffering was the result of a chain of preventable failures.
Environmentalist Nayanaka Ranwella painted a grim picture of Bathiya’s condition and the early missteps in his care. “Bathiya was found by the Department of Wildlife Conservation on May 19. Although there was no visible external wound, he had sustained serious internal injuries. His right leg was swollen up to six feet, rendering it completely unusable,” Ranwella said.
He highlighted a crucial lapse in the immediate response. “An antibiotic course was started, but even then, the elephant was standing on just one leg. Elephants carry about two-thirds of their body weight on their front legs. With one leg incapacitated, the entire burden shifted to the other. In such cases, it’s essential to provide a supportive net or sling to ease the strain. Bathiya has tusks, which added even more weight. But no such support was given.” he said.
This oversight, Ranwella said, proved devastating. “The added pressure caused an injury to the other front leg, with a wound forming on the sole. With both legs damaged, Bathiya eventually collapsed and had to be dragged. His condition worsened because of this neglect.”
The environmentalist also questioned other key decisions made during Bathiya’s care. “It was medically wrong to try and straighten the animal when both its front legs were disabled,” says Nayanaka Ranwella, criticising the initial handling of Bathiya’s condition. “A support net should have been used during the process, but that was never done. Worse still, when we visited for a second assessment after the first round of treatment, the elephant had been shot in the ear.”
Ranwella also voiced strong concern over the decision to place the critically injured elephant in water. “Instead of installing a proper support system to bear the elephant’s weight, they relied on water buoyancy, assuming it would offer comfort. But immersing an animal in such a critical state is far more dangerous than beneficial. This alone shows that the treatment approach was flawed from the start.”
The method used to lift Bathiya also drew serious concern. “An elephant should be hoisted using at least eight to ten straps, and ideally, a net placed under its stomach to evenly distribute the weight. But Bathiya was lifted using only two straps. With an animal of this size and weight, improper lifting can cause serious bone and muscle damage.”
“In my view,” Ranwella said, “this reflects either a serious lack of training within the Department of Wildlife Conservation—or a complete lack of interest.
While acknowledging the immense challenges faced by the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), environmentalist Nayanaka Ranwella drew attention to deeper, systemic issues. “Many people in the Department lead difficult lives, and staff shortages and a lack of facilities are real problems,” he says. “I don’t blame the individuals. Many of them are working tirelessly day and night for Bathiya. But there are serious flaws in the overall methodology being used.”
Ranwella also raised concerns about Bathiya’s diet during recovery, advocating for a more natural and species-appropriate approach. “The elephant is now in a very weak state. The food being given should help him regain strength, but much of it consists of domestic produce. If he becomes accustomed to such food, there’s a risk that, once recovered, he will seek it near human settlements. That increases the chance of future conflict. What he needs now are easily digestible foods found in the wild. Even something like orange water could work as an energy drink.”
His broader plea is for a complete overhaul of Sri Lanka’s approach to elephant conservation grounded in science and global best practices. “We have skilled and experienced veterinarians in Sri Lanka, but the methods being used are outdated. Compared to international standards, our practices are falling short. We’ve been raising these concerns for years, but no one seems to listen. Bathiya’s case highlights the urgent need for a scientifically sound and structured conservation system—one that includes both the protection of elephants and their habitats.”
He said that this is not just about one elephant. “Bathiya is only one case. Without change, many more elephants could face similar fates. What’s needed is a comprehensive, science-based strategy for elephant care and conservation. Unfortunately, both politicians and many officials lack basic environmental literacy. Elephants are keystone species. They are vital to the health of our ecosystems. Economically, too, they are among the biggest draws for tourism. They provide us with enormous value ecologically and financially. In many ways, they have more of a rightful claim to the land than we do. That’s why we urgently need a well-planned program with proper methodology to ensure their survival.”
Need for meaningful action
However, the Director General of the DWC, Ranjan Marasinghe was quick to defend the DWC’s veterinarians and officials against the allegations. While Bathiya is now being treated with the support of Prof. Ashoka Dangolla of the University of Peradeniya, the Sri Lanka Army and various other organisations, Marasinghe said the DWC is providing its best support.
“This is not the first time an incident like this has taken place, and it’s unlikely to be the last unless we take meaningful action. Our attention must also turn to the individual who shot this elephant. Elephants are a crucial part of the ecosystem, and harming them should carry serious consequences. At the same time, we must acknowledge that there may have been reasons behind the shooter’s actions rooted in the growing crisis of human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka. Addressing this issue requires not just punishment, but a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by both people and wildlife,” he said.
He pointed to the broader challenges facing the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC). “This isn’t an isolated incident; many elephants in Sri Lanka face similar threats. As the DWC, we do our best in every case, but conservation cannot be about just one animal. We need to take a holistic approach. Incidents like this are regularly reported in areas such as Ampara, and all of them fall within the scope of our conservation efforts.”
He also noted the growing influence of public attention in shaping priorities. “While this case has drawn significant public interest, the reality is that such attention can sometimes divert limited resources. With only 886 officers across the entire department, we’re expected to cover vast and demanding conservation responsibilities. When disproportionate time is spent on a single case, it takes away from the broader work we’re trying to do. That time can’t be reclaimed and the bigger picture suffers because of it.” he added.
Sri Lanka records some of the highest human-elephant conflict deaths in the world, with roughly 250 elephants and 80 people dying annually due to these clashes, a stark reality in a country estimated to have around 7,000 elephants.
Inquiry unnecessary
Responding to the specific allegations directed at the DWC veterinarian overseeing Bathiya’s treatment, Marasinghe firmly defended his colleague. “There are accusations being made against the doctor involved in this case. But I must stress that he is someone who has always carried out his duties with deep commitment. Even during Sri Lanka’s conflict years, he served with distinction. There is no question about his dedication, an investigation into that is unnecessary.”
Marasinghe said that the veterinarians within the DWC are professionals who work under demanding conditions. “Anyone can make mistakes or experience lapses but these are never intentional. So far, I have not received any directive from the Government to initiate an inquiry into these allegations. If such an order is issued, we will follow through. But as of now, no such instruction has been given.”
He also highlighted the practical realities of fieldwork. “Our veterinarians are out there on the ground. They’ve been provided with the necessary equipment and support. But field conditions can be unpredictable, and that sometimes leads to difficult situations. Wildlife and environmental conservation must operate in harmony with the ecosystem. We can’t pause or control natural processes but what we can do is manage the human activities that disrupt them.”
Bathiya’s progress
On the ground, Dr. Tharindu Wijekoon, one of the veterinarians treating Bathiya, offered a more hopeful update on the elephant’s condition, despite the ongoing challenges. “It’s been a few days since we began treatment under the leadership of Prof. Ashoka Dangolla. On the first day, we ran a blood evaluation and found that Bathiya’s condition was extremely poor—he was very weak at the time. When we arrived, he was still in the water, but we decided to move him out and keep him dry to begin the treatment process.”
While progress was initially slow, Dr. Wijekoon said there was steady improvement. “We didn’t observe much change after the first day. But by the second day, we were able to administer a full round of necessary treatments. By the third day, we began to see clear signs of recovery. Bathiya started to move—his limbs, his trunk, even basic functions like taking water with his trunk and pouring it over his body. These were promising signs. His condition has continued to improve, especially in terms of mobility and responsiveness.”
Addressing concerns about Bathiya’s nutrition, Dr. Wijekoon said that a specialised feeding plan has been introduced. “We’ve created a tailored diet, not just with fruits, but including leaves and other sources of natural nutrition. The plan is designed to help him regain strength and support his recovery.”
Looking ahead, Dr. Wijekoon outlined the team’s next steps. “Because Bathiya has been lying on one side for a long time, we’re planning to gently turn him using a support net, being careful not to cause any harm. All our actions are being carried out with the oversight and approval of Dr. Tharaka Prasad, Director of Wildlife Health at the DWC.”
Despite the many difficulties, Dr. Wijekoon remains cautiously optimistic. “This is a fragile process, but Bathiya is showing signs of fighting back. We are doing everything possible to support his recovery.”
No formal investigation
Amid growing public calls for a thorough investigation into Baathiya’s treatment and the allegations directed at the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, K.R. Uduwawala, said that no formal inquiry has been initiated so far. However, he assured the public of the Ministry’s ongoing involvement. “We are continuously monitoring the health condition of the elephant named Bathiya and the treatment he requires, and we will continue to look into the matter,” he said.
Speaking to the Sunday Observer regarding the mounting allegations, Minister of Environment Dhammika Patabendi suggested that some of the criticism directed at the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) may be “driven by various political motives.” He said that the Ministry’s current priority is Bathiya’s recovery and ensuring the elephant receives the best possible care, rather than initiating broad investigations into individual claims.
While the Minister acknowledged the possibility of an internal review of the DWC’s overall effectiveness, he made it clear that, at present, “there are no preparations to conduct investigations into the allegations made against individuals.” He added that any inquiry, if pursued, should focus on the institution as a whole rather than singling out staff. “I’m not ready for such a discussion at this time,” he said.
With the Ministry opting not to initiate an inquiry despite growing public concern, some environmentalists are now urging President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to intervene. They are calling for an independent investigation or the establishment of a special committee to examine the care provided to Bathiya, citing the need for transparency, accountability, and systemic reform in wildlife conservation practices.
