As a countrywide survey of the elephant population would require a colossal amount of money, the Department of Wild Life has decided to carry out a sample survey in the Mahaveli Wild Life Range to ascertain whether the elephant population had increased or decreased over the years and is seeking Rs. 5 million in donor assistance, a spokesperson for the department said yesterday.

The Director General of Wild Life Ananda Wijesuriya told The Island that the last survey was carried out in 2003 and this time the department was planning to carry out a survey in the Mahaweli wild life Range.

This would encompass the districts of Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa, Matale,, Badulla and Ampara and would be carried out on August 16 (Poya Day) and would require around 700 persons and a large number of vehicles and equipment needed for the operation which could cost around Rs 4 to 5 million.

"As always we hope to seek the assistance of University students to carry out the survey"

He said that the survey will reveal the number of elephants, the number of herds, their ages, their sex, the number of tuskers and we could come to a conclusion whether the elephant population was increasing or decreasing and find the causes that had led to this situation.

Further, under the Asian Development Bank (ADB) funding commenced in 2001, the Protected Area Management of Wild Life and Conservation Project was being continued.

Firstly, institutional strengthening through training giving priority to the human component. Secondly, Bio diversity conservation baseline survey.