A preliminary study to investigate behavioural differences among elephants residing near the Buttala-Kataragama and Habarana roads in Sri Lanka, where they are regularly fed by passing motorists

Authors

  • Tharindu Muthukumarana 108/10 Shalawa Road, Mirihana, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.6161.18.4.28657-28661

Keywords:

Asian Elephants, behavioural plasticity, conservation, Elephant cognition, Elephants’ food solicitation, ethology, road ecology, Sri Lanka, wildlife-human negative interaction

Abstract

This study examined the behavior of wild Sri Lankan Elephants Elephas maximus living in districts near Buttala-Katragama road (B035) and Habarana road (A11). Elephants at B035 were observed to be more attracted to food given by motorists than those at A11, who were more interested in feeding on surrounding vegetation, strolling, and crossing the road. Motorists travelling the B035 route were also observed to be more likely to feed elephants than those travelling the A11 route, despite the latter having the most traffic.

References

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Department of Wildlife Conservation, (2018). Performance report department of wildlife conservation. Accessed on 30 August 2023, available from: www.parliament.lk

Muthukumarana, T. (2017). The Life of Last Proboscideans Elephants. Colombo, 328 pp.

Plotnik, J.M., D.L. Brubaker, R. Dale, L.N. Tiller & N.S. Clayton (2019). Elephants have a nose for quantity. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 116(25): 12566–12571. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1818284116

Prasad, G.A.T. (2004). Estimation of population density and herd composition of elephants in Minneriya National Park, Sri Lanka. M.Sc. Thesis. University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 88 pp. https://ir.lib.pdn.ac.lk/handle/20.500.14444/2224

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Published

26-04-2026

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 4 (2026)

Section

Communications

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Tharindu Muthukumarana

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