In Sri Lanka, Deegawapi is famous for being the home of the beautiful Buddhist temple of the same name. But after six elephants needlessly died at a dump in the area, it may become famous for a new reason.
The Deegawapi dump holds the areas refuse. Locals take their toxic waste, plastics and other materials for which they no longer have use there. And because it has no fence, the smells, attract animals big and small, hungry for a bite to eat.
That is how a herd of elephants ended up at the dump earlier this month. The herd was seen by locals picking up litter with their trunks and putting it in their mouths. Unfortunately, six of the elephants ate so much trash that they died shortly afterward. An autopsy revealed that their stomachs were full of polyethylene, the most common form of plastic, primarily used in packaging.
These endangered animals didn't need to die. A simple fence would have kept them, as well as other animals out of danger.
It is time local officials take the initiative to protect these incredible creatures and make sure a tragedy like this never happens again.
Please sign the petition and tell the municipality of Pradeshiya Sabha to build a fence and other deterrent devices to keep the elephants and other animals out of the dump and safe from harm.
