By Sriyantha Perera | Settlor, Rainforest Protectors Trust
Two months ago, a small team of volunteers accompanied the incumbent Chairperson of the Rainforest Protectors Trust (RPT) to the Sinharaja Forest Reserve in order to participate in the Nationwide Wild Elephant Census, the first such National Census since 2011.
The team in question was taken through the Main Entrance (Kudawa) of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve by the Chairperson and a Government Guide attached to the Department of Forest Conservation (DFC), in order to experience the biodiversity, ecosystems and habitats contained within the administrative boundaries of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve.
Following day the team accompanied 04 Forest Officers attached to the Department of Forest Conservation (DFC) and 02 Wildlife Officers attached to the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), entering the administrative boundaries of the Eastern Sector of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve between Handapan Ella (Waterfall) and Ilumbakanda Mountain.
During the aforementioned foray into Eastern Sinharaja there was continuous, heavy rainfall and while no physical sightings of any Wild Elephants occurred, evidence of footprints and elephant dung was prevalent. For additional context there are only two Wild Elephants remaining within the administrative boundaries of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, both of whom are Male Elephants.
Attached is a landscape picture from the weekend of the National Wild Elephant Census in the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, specifically while within the Eastern Sector of the Forest Reserve.
The picture itself is of a tract of Sub Montane Grasslands which are regularly frequented by Wild Elephants. In the background are the Sub Montane Forests that comprise the bulk of the ecosystems and habitats contained within the administrative boundaries of Eastern Sinharaja.
Protecting the last remaining rainforest lands surrounding Sinharaja World Heritage Rainforest is critical to ensure the survival of the Rainforest Elephants. Additionally, Rainforest Protectors Trust is working with the relevant Government departments to take necessary steps immediately to prevent the extinction of lowland Rainforest Elephants.
Please consider making a donation or becoming a member and help save these last remaining pristine rainforests for future generations!
By Sriyantha Perera | Settlor, Rainforest Protectors Trust
By Sriyantha Perera | Settlor, Rainforest Protectors Trust
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