Security forces, including the Tri-Forces, have been deployed to assist wildlife officers in rescuing distressed wild elephants and calves in several parts of the country following a request from the  Environment Ministry.

The special operations were launched today (22) on the direct instructions of the Deputy Minister of Defence to ensure the safety of elephants in distress and provide assistance to wildlife officers.An elephant calf found trapped in Wewelketiya village in the Pihimbiyagollewa Grama Niladhari Division of the Rambewa Divisional Secretariat Division in Anuradhapura was rescued by wildlife officers.The calf was taken to the Anuradhapura Pandulagama Veterinary Unit for medical treatment and preliminary examinations. It is expected to be transferred to the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home for further rehabilitation.Meanwhile, wildlife officers are monitoring the condition of an approximately seven-year-old elephant reported to be in distress in the Gallella and Manikkampattiya areas of Polonnaruwa.

Authorities have also focused on an elephant calf reported to be in distress in the Tamil Section 04 Grama Niladhari Division of the Sammanthurai Divisional Secretariat Division.Security forces are providing field support and protection to officers of the Department of Wildlife Conservation to facilitate rescue operations.A joint mechanism is also expected to be implemented to ensure the swift rescue of distressed wildlife and continuous monitoring of areas affected by human-elephant conflict.