Army Assists in the Treatment of Injured Tusker 'Bhathiya'
July 06, 2025A wild tusker named Bhathiya, who had been roaming around the Manigama area in Nikaweratiya while undergoing treatment for gunshot wounds sustained approximately two months ago, had recently fallen into a water pit and met with an accident.
The Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), instructed the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, to take necessary steps to ensure the tusker's safety.
Accordingly, troops from the 15th Sri Lanka Artillery and the 9th Sri Lanka National Guard were deployed to secure the area until the arrival of wildlife officers. During the interim, Army personnel, recognizing the tusker’s distress due to extreme heat, took steps to pour water over its body to cool it down. In addition, a sunshade was erected to shield the tusker from the harsh sun.
Furthermore, a sand mound was created to support the tusker’s head and prevent it from slipping further into the water. At present, Army troops are engaged in rescue operations in collaboration with the wildlife officials who are now at the site.
courtesy - www.army.lk