Chandi

Chandi

Because he only has one ivory, Chandi, also known as Eka Danta, stands in the hamlet of Ehetuwewa, Galgamuwa, in the Kurunegala District. Chandi serves as a metaphor for the relationship between humans and the natural world. After more than 50 years of residence, Chandi has assimilated into the local community. 

This tale shows how an animal searches frantically for a place to call home where it genuinely belongs even if it has no idea why its environment is getting smaller. It teaches us, as humans, the value of home to all living things on the world, including ourselves, and the need for us to act carefully in order to preserve their existence.

Because of Chandi's past of consuming products from the fields, the locals are concerned. Over the years, he has harmed property and crops by doing this. The local authorities are attempting to steer him away from densely populated areas in light of recent instances.

With a GPS collar, Chandi was removed from his Galgamuwa habitat and transported to Somawathiya National Park in 2009. Chandi persisted nonetheless. He was quite adept at navigating his way home. Over the course of 28 days, he traveled a staggering 243 kilometers. He passed through several locations, including residential areas, yet he managed to return to Galgamuwa.

Chandi persisted even after being relocated to the Horowpathana Elephant Holding Ground in 2015. He made his getaway and returned to Galgamuwa. This demonstrated his deep ties to his hometown. Even when others tried to dissuade him, he didn't allow anything to stop him.