Protecting the Giants of Lanka

Through out my photography career, Tuskers of Sri Lanka has been one of my favourites’ among many attractions. Few of many best places to capture Tuskers in Sri Lanka are i.e Kaudulla, Minneriya, Wasgamuwa, Udawalawa, Galigamuwa & Kalawewa. Among all above, Kalawewa became my favourite destination for many reasons & many of the Tuskers rooming in all of the above reserves can be seen seasonally in Kalawewa starting from April to August every year.

Herds migrate to Kalawewa in the dry season for grasslands appear on the bed of the Kalawewa Tank, when the water level declines, where Tuskers rooming within most of the above reserves follow the herds for the food & for their mating sequence. Hence it has been the best place to capture these mighty beauties and to study them.

However, given Kalawewa is one of the smallest reserves in the country and most of the migrating routes are through the human habitation, cause many direct confrontations with these herds resulting invaluable damages to both sides.

After being witnessed many, I decided to collect funds through my personal contacts to help the people who are getting effected in such elephant incidents. Mr Ananda Bandara, a Wildlife Ranger attached to Kalawewa Wildlife Reserve has been helping me by identifying, organizing and monitoring all the work and constructions of this project. These project consists of the following areas.

• Building basic Cement houses for the damaged clay houses
• Repairing of damaged cement houses
• Giving scholarships for the children of the dead of disabled due to such incidents
• Supporting with medical expenses due to such incidents

Main intention of the “Save Elephants Fund” is to reduce the hatrence & the anger towards the elephants, resulting less damages to the elephant population. Contributions are most welcome.