Home / Crime and Justice / Shocking Video: Wild Elephant Burned Alive in Sri Lanka
Shocking Video: Wild Elephant Burned Alive in Sri Lanka
18 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Three men arrested for setting a wild elephant on fire.
- The animal suffered an agonious death after being shot and burned.
- Elephants are legally protected, but human-elephant conflict persists.
Three individuals were apprehended by Sri Lankan police on Thursday following the release of a disturbing video showing a wild elephant being set on fire. The suspects, aged between 42 and 50, were taken into custody in the Anuradhapura district. This incident has sparked widespread outrage after the graphic footage circulated online.
The animal reportedly sustained an injury to its front leg before being set alight. Veterinary attempts to save the elephant's life were unsuccessful. While elephants are revered and legally protected in Sri Lanka, human-elephant conflict remains a significant issue, particularly in rural areas where elephants destroy crops.
This event highlights the ongoing struggle between humans and wildlife, with approximately 400 elephant and 200 human lives lost annually over the past five years. Despite legal protections, including the potential death penalty for killing an elephant, such tragic incidents continue to occur, underscoring the complex challenges of conservation.
