Elephant Weera

Weera (T065)

Veera,

A single-tusked elephant with only the left tusk, aged about 45 years. It is very likely that Viera was born single tusk. Veera, who is more than 9 feet tall, is currently suffering from eyesight problems. Recently, Veera has been treated by the Wildlife Veterinary Unit several times for various human-caused injuries.

Roaming in the areas around Kala Lake, National Namal Garden, Thoniyagala, Maradankadawala, Kekirawa, the hero spends time in solitude. He was rarely seen with other elephants.

However, Veera, who is traveling with difficulty due to her visual impairment, had traveled from Namal National Park to Mihinthala some time ago. It is very sad that Veera had to face several bullet holes during that journey.

This is a good example of elephants' excellent memory of traditional travel routes. They use the landscapes like water sources, rocks, big trees, etc. to remember the routes they traveled with their mother when they were children. They are always inclined to travel along the roads that are kept in mind and no matter how blocked such roads are, they risk their lives or travel on that road. It is a truth that we humans must understand. In order to find a sustainable solution to the elephant-human conflict that has escalated in the forest at this time, all the elephant corridors that have been blocked by human activities should be freed again.

The non-aggressive Vira often spends more time in sparsely populated forested areas than in protected areas. There is very little chance of harming Veera by spending time near settlements in areas such as Thoniyagala, National Namal Park, Maradankadawala. That is because there is a group of young people in those areas, including the Maha Sangharathana, who love these elephants and look after them. But there is great risk in migration to Mihintale and Mahakanadarava areas. Several of the country's famous elephants were shot at in the areas around Mihintale and Mahakanadarava.

However, it is our responsibility to ensure that Veera, the only one-tusked elephant living in the area, lives up to his maximum age after the death of the Kala Lake single tusk in 2010 or thereabouts. It is not only the responsibility of the Wildlife Conservation Department but it is the responsibility of all of us who love elephants.