Endangered elephants scavenge for food in dump — increasing fears for their welfare

ENDANGERED elephants scavenge for food at a dump — increasing fears for their welfare. Two died last weekend after swallowing plastic from the open landfill site in Pallakkadu, eastern Sri Lanka. Elephants scavenge for food at a dump Sri Lanka — increasing fears for their welfare Scavenging in dumps has led to the death of up to 20 elephants in the past eight years The body of a wild elephant lies in an open landfill Local experts say it brings the death toll to around 20 in the past eight years. Large amounts of plastic were found in their stomachs, local scientists said. Nihal Pushpakumara, a wildlife veterinarian, said: “Polythene, food wrappers, plastic, other non-digestibles and water were the only things we could see in the postmortem. “The normal food that elephants eat and digest was not evident.” The number of elephants in the country has dwindled from about 14,000 in the 19th century to 6,000 in 2011. The number of elephants in the country has dwindled from about 14,000 in the 19th century to 6,000 in 2011 Most read in World News DUKE'S SEX CASE Two names revealed as witnesses to be quizzed in Prince Andrew rape trial BRINK OF WAR Europe could be plunged into war in WEEKS after Kremlin 'false flag' attacks WHO'S NEXT? Clinton, Trump & 'mystery PM' could face humiliation in unsealed Epstein docs WALKS FREE Dad who ‘made paedo pal who raped daughter dig own grave’ WON'T face murder rap SNOW WAY! How many snow leopards can YOU spot in these incredible pictures? PROPERTY TAX Town requires residents to have APPENDIX removed - for very important reason