Episode 20 – Madu Road National Park

Confronting death

I joined the Department of Wildlife Conservation on 1st October 2004. I had to serve in North West and Anuradhapura North areas. This is a large area; it covers fairly about half of Sri Lanka’s wilderness and it is very difficult as well. At that time, most of the areas on this side were controlled by the LTTE. Therefore, there were very few veterinary surgeons served there.

Because of the presence of LTTE in this area, there was a great threat to life. Always sounds of shootings were frequent. Mines were planted almost everywhere. We had to move around about 200-300 km per day to rescue animals. We must go anywhere only with the permission of the Sri Lanka Army. The Army search operations were carried out sometimes for hours. The procedures to get permission were bit longer. Certain days we had to stay in military camps. Mostly, we had to go to treatment with military assistance. The army also does not like to walk much because of landmines. We did not tell our homes about this situation.

In early 2008, there was an elephant that was attacking people in Vedithalau area. This elephant started killing people. The Department of Wildlife decided to capture the elephant. The elephant roams over a considerable area. Out of that, some areas are manifested with land mines, considerable areas were de-mined and some areas were occupied by the LTTE.

We had a team of about twenty people for such operations. Veterinary Surgeon, Dharmakirthi was also there. On that day, we anesthetized the elephant, caught it, loaded it into a truck and took it to another area with the hope of releasing it.

We left with the group around 7:00 that morning. There were about 15 to 20 army men with us. Several vehicles and a lorry were taken for the operation. We saw the elephant inside the Wetkalathivu forest. The elephant was in a mine-free area. After we injected the elephant with anesthetic drug, it ran about 500 meters to the direction of the mine-laden area. When we followed and found the elephant with difficulty, we saw the elephant lying down. If we don’t do the reverse anesthesia, the elephant will die. There is no other option but to go there.  As per the instructions of the Army, we walked along the road where the elephant had stepped and went there. After being de-anesthetized, the elephant was tied to a rope and dragged to the mine-free area with the help of a backhoe. Then they loaded it into the vehicle with difficulty and left the area safely.

Another incident happened in this area. The country was peaceful then. The Vavuniya District Secretariat notified that an elephant had fallen into a well in LTTE control area, it has been informed by the LTTE. The Vavuniya District Secretariat coordinated between us and the LTTE. A group of 5-6 of us took permission from the army and left.  District Forest Officer of Vavuniya, Mr. Herath was also with us. There is no army beyond one place and the area was under the control of LTTE. There was no one in the street. Armed persons were looking at us everywhere. The Women’s Corps were also present. There were many child soldiers also. We were very scared.

They don’t know Sinhala language and we can’t understand Tamil also. We talked in English with people who could speak a little English. They checked our vehicle. In addition to the anesthetic guns, the vehicle had a repeater gun, under the rug. They did not see it. LTTE cadres left with us on two motorbikes each in front and behind. Each man had two weapons.

During this visit, we saw LTTE camps covered with iron plates. Tractors were also parked there. Meantime, we met an Engineer who studied with me at Peradeniya University while they were renovating roads. He coordinated for us. When going to the place, a large group of villagers had gathered. The elephant has fallen into a deep well. When looking from above, the elephant looked small and white. It has been in the well for about 10 days.

It was well lined with granite. Those persons objected to breaking the well. I asked our men to draw water from a nearby well. Later, he found a motor and filled this well from a nearby well. When the water was full, the elephant came up. Then the elephant crawled and came to the land. As soon as it comes out from the well, fallen down lifeless due to weakness.

We gave the elephant 4-5 bottles of saline. Suddenly the elephant got up. We all ran directions where our heads turned. The LTTE cadres also took weapons and ran. I hid behind a tree and I found an LTTE cadre was also there. He started shooting up. After I said not to do so he stopped. Here I took out our repeater gun. LTTE cadre was worried because he had not seen the weapon before. But they were explained that we will carry the repeater gun anyway in such operations. They checked it thoroughly.

Later LTTE They gave us rice with brinjals and bush meat. Although not tasty, it was Ok. We were taken to their so-called political leader. I don’t remember his name now. He gave us a lecture on animal welfare. After leaving there, we came to the army camp. The army was not happy about our journey. When we came back that day, it was around twelve at night. Later I came to know that two people from the LTTE intelligence wing had also searched for details about me.

These two events are among unforgettable wild memories of my life.