The Wildlife Conservation Department had called for explanation from National Zoological Gardens Director Duminda Jayaratne as to why the baby tuskers were released from the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, without its consent.

Department’s Deputy Director, Upali Padmasiri told The Island yesterday that to date, the National Zoological Gardens had not responded to their queries.

Though the National Zoological Gardens in Dehiwela and Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage comes under the purview of Sports and Recreation Minister Gamini Lokuge, the Wildlife Department is the sole body which has powers to deal with fauna and flora, especially the wild types. They come under Environment and Natural Resources Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka.

Jayaratne could not be contacted for comment. However, Deputy Director Dhammika Malasinghe, told The Island yesterday, they are in the process of writing a reply.

On July 25, despite protests by some officials at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, after hours of battle, two baby tuskers were separated from their mothers.

Diyawadana Nilame Niranjan Dela Bandara with the support of nearly 50 persons, including the Police, took the captives to Kandy.

Environment Lawyer Jagath Gunawardena said that these elephants legally come under the Department of Wildlife and to transfer them other than to the National Zoological Gardens in Dehiwela and Pinnawela, approval had to be obtained from Department of Wildlife.

He said that if they had not obtained a permit from the Wildlife Department, the process would be considered illegal.

National Zoological Gardens officials said it is the rule of the Zoo Director Board that no animal under the age of five should be handed over to outsiders.