Baby elephants-latest status symbol among Lankan elite

Colombo, July 1: Baby elephants have become the new status symbol in Sri Lanka, a trend that is giving nightmares to wildlife conservationists in the country.
Even though capturing elephants in Sri Lanka is illegal and intentionally killing an elephant is a crime punishable by death- though no one has been prosecuted in decades- expensive and high-maintenance baby elephants have become the ultimate status symbol for Sri Lanka’s wealthy elite.
The Species Conservation Centre says, baby elephants cost as much as USD 125,000.
Authorities have reported that more than 40 elephants have been stolen from national parks over the last decade and are being kept as pets.
“The new rich wannabes want an elephant at home for prestige. This is for social climbing,” said Asian elephant expert Jayantha Jayewardene, recalling an old Sri Lankan aristocratic tradition of keeping herds of the wild beasts.
Earlier this year, the gift of a baby elephant to visiting New Zealand Prime Minister John Key sparked much anger from animal rights activists, reports Colombo Page.
Jayewardene also pointed out that elephants are being killed to fuel the illegal trade.
“The maternal instinct in elephants is very, very strong. Poachers can’t get at a baby without the mother putting up a fight, and it usually ends with the death of the mother,” he said.Even the tranquilizer drugs used to capture the calves also been known to kill them. Activists have been struggling hard to save elephants as no strict actions are being taken against the offenders.