NewsA passenger train hit and killed an elephant and three calves in northern Sri Lanka on Wednesday (Aug 16), the latest deadly accident involving the venerated animals. Although elephants are considered sacred in Sri Lanka and are legally protected, nearly 200 are killed every year, many by farmers after the animals stray onto their land. In 2011, three baby elephants were killed by a passenger train along the same track in a forest area about 150km north of Colombo. In May this year, four elephants including two calves were killed by lightning in the country’s north. Sri Lanka’s elephant population has dwindled to just over 7,000, according to the latest census, down from an estimated 12,000 in 1900.

Source: Sunday Times August 17, 2016 11:26 UTC