Famed ‘Deegadanthu 1’ tusker dies from electrocution

Deegadanthu 1, the only remaining Sri Lankan tusker with the largest pair of tusks, died from electrocution yesterday (28) morning. The tusker, aged between 40 to 50 years, was well known to frequent the Kalawewa National Park and the Kahalla-Pallekelle forest reserve.

The tusker has been electrocuted after coming into contact with an unauthorized electric fence fixed near a house in the Hinguru Wewa area in Palagala, Aadiyagala in the Galkiriyagama Police Division, Police said. Deegadanthu 1, the oldest and the last tusked elephant of the four Kalawewa tusker family, who lived in the centre of the Kala Wewa National Park as his home has been considered as a jewel for Sri Lanka in the eyes of the world.

The four tuskers Revatha, Barana, Deegadanthu 1 and Deegadanthu 2 lived in the Kala Wewa reserve and the surrounding area making it their home. Environmentalists have pointed out that it is believed that Deegadanthu 2 died after previously being attacked by another elephant.

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