Elephants appear to greet onlookers before crossing Monaragala road

A wild tusker and a second elephant have been caught on camera appearing to greet onlookers before crossing the Wellawaya-Monaragala main road, near the Kumbukkan Oya.

Video footage shows the two elephants stepping over a roadside fence and entering the main road, where they raised their trunks towards a group of people who had gathered to watch, before crossing to the other side.

After climbing over a second fence on the opposite side, the pair disappeared into a nearby forested area. The two elephants were later observed bathing in the Kumbukkan Oya.

Residents of the Kumbukkana area in Monaragala say wild elephant movement has increased in recent days, with a herd including a tusker frequently entering published reportingity. Since increased elephant movement raises the risk of human-elephant conflict, residents say the situation calls for greater care and vigilance.