16/06/2026
An average of about 120 to 150 people die from wild elephant attacks in Sri Lanka each year. Over the past decade, the intense human-elephant conflict has claimed the lives of roughly 120 people annually, with recent years occasionally seeing the toll spike to between 150 and 180 deaths.This tragic toll ranks among the highest per-capita mortality rates for human-elephant conflict in the world. The conflict is primarily driven by shrinking natural habitats and human encroachment into elephant territories, which frequently forces elephants into agricultural areas and villages.Tragically, elephants pay the heaviest price in these clashes, with over 300 to 400 wild elephants being killed every year in retaliation, electrocutions, or accidents. For more localized statistics or to learn about ongoing conservation and safety initiatives, you can review The human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka or view the latest updates on the Human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka - Wikipedia.
