Can you imagine the horror of seeing a majestic elephant set ablaze?
That nightmare became real in northern Sri Lanka this week, sparking outrage across social media.
Police have arrested three men, aged 42 to 50, accused of chasing a wild elephant with flaming torches.
Despite repeated veterinary care, the male elephant succumbed to severe burns and a gunshot wound on Tuesday.
“This is beyond cruelty,” said an animal rights advocate following the viral video.
A petition demanding prosecution and preventive measures has already gathered over 400 signatures.
Elephants hold a special place in Sri Lanka, revered in Buddhism and central to religious ceremonies and tourism.
Killing one isn’t just morally shocking — it’s illegal, carrying the possibility of the death penalty, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
Human-Elephant Clashes
Yet human-elephant clashes are tragically common. Nearly 400 elephants have died this year alone.
Many died due to shootings, train accidents, and “jaw bombs” — explosives farmers use to protect crops.
More than 100 people have also died from elephant encounters during the same period.
Officials warn that rising conflicts put both humans and elephants in danger.
The incident serves as a grim reminder: as human populations expand into wildlife habitats, the stakes get higher for these gentle giants.
It raises a sobering question: can coexistence ever truly work when fear and desperation collide with the wild?
