On August 26, Sri Lanka issued new regulations, stating that elephants used in the logging industry can only work a maximum of 4 hours a day and not work at night, they must also bathe for at least 2.5 hours a day and take mud baths to cool off. Violators of the law can face up to 3 years in prison and all elephants must be returned to state custody.
According to the law, baby elephants under two years old in Sri Lanka are not allowed to work and must be raised with their mothers. In addition, mahouts are not allowed to drink alcohol or use drugs while working with elephants.
A monk anoints an elephant during a traditional New Year ceremony at a temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka on April 17, 2021. (Photo: Getty Images)
The regulation was introduced by Wimalaweera Dissanayaka, Sri Lanka's Wildlife Conservation Minister, who also announced that each tamed elephant must have a biometric "identification card" containing its photo and DNA information. In addition, only a maximum of four people will be allowed to ride an elephant at a time, and these people must sit on a saddle with good quality padding. Captive elephants must undergo mandatory health checks every six months, and they cannot be forced to participate in filming, except for government media productions, and must be strictly monitored by an authorized veterinary facility.
Elephants on the river in Pinnawala village (Sri Lanka) - Photo: Rajiv Perera
Elephants are much loved and revered in the island nation of Sri Lanka. Killing an elephant can be a death sentence. Elephants are used in religious ceremonies, tourism and the logging industry.
