Prof. Ashoka Dangolla of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine & Animal Science at the University of Peradeniya says there are many behavioural aspects that must change when humans deal with tame and wild elephants.
Prof. Dangolla said elephants are the primary cause of human conflicts, and therefore the public must remain mindful.
Speaking at a media briefing in Kandy, Prof. Dangolla added several new technological researches have been initiated in Sri Lanka to protect humans from elephants and vice versa.
He added with the increase in population the need for land increases and forest reserves are therefore cleared. Prof. Dangolla claimed such actions lead to human-elephant conflicts.
However, he noted there are old and modern methods to address this issue in addition to erecting electric fences.
Prof. Dangolla also stated that no country has successfully addressed the human-elephant conflict.
He said solar-powered fences have been installed at present adding that steps must be taken to install such fences around homes and fields instead of setting them up inside forest reserves.
Prof. Dangolla said technical issues can be addressed claiming that trials of a collar for elephants with electric shocks are being looked into to prompt elephants to retreat.
