A Review of the Modern Methodological Approaches to Tracking Elephant Intrusion in Sri Lanka

This review aims to address the prevailing issues of elephant intrusion and the subsequent Human Elephant Conflict (HEC) in Sri Lanka, particularly in villages where the seasonal concentration of elephants can be observed in agricultural and surrounding wetlands. The episodic gatherings of elephants in these specific areas are a serious concern due to the lack of integrated control measures. The incidents of elephant gatherings are increasing in rural villages, especially during the off-season of paddy cultivation or nearing the harvesting period, as well as during the blooming times of fresh grass in the riverbeds. These interactions with people along their range lead to the onset of HEC scenarios. If these elephant gatherings are left without solutions, it could pose a significant threat to the affected areas, settlements, and economic values, making them highly vulnerable. Therefore, this paper suggests a holistic approach that integrates modern techniques with a literature review to explore and assess existing methods and identify viable ones to control elephant intrusion and mitigate the impacts on the affected areas and Sri Lanka as a whole.