Dear Supporters,
We are pleased to present an update on the commendable efforts of the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society and its innovative Project Orange Elephant. This initiative is designed to mitigate human-elephant conflicts and provide sustainable income to rural farmers, thereby alleviating poverty.
The project employs a unique strategy of cultivating orange plantations. Elephants do not feed on citrus, making these plantations a natural deterrent. This has led to a significant reduction in incidents of elephants entering villages, feeding on crops, and damaging homes in search of stored food.
In 2022, Sri Lanka sadly lost 433 elephants, primarily due to escalating human-elephant conflicts. However, it is heartening to note that no elephant deaths were reported from the Wasgamuwa Region in the same year. This region has been the focus of various pioneering measures implemented by the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society to foster tolerance among local farmers towards elephants.
Despite these positive strides, challenges persist. Elephants continue to be exploited in the tourism trade, which poses a significant threat to their well-being. Your generous donations can help us combat these issues and contribute to the conservation of these magnificent creatures.
Your support plays a crucial role in the success of such initiatives. Together, we can make a difference in conserving wildlife and improving the lives of rural farmers.
Thank you for your continued support.
