The Elephant Holding Ground at Horowpathana has come under heavy criticism as elephants are dying of malnutrition due to the holding ground lacking sufficient food sources.
With an area of 997 hectares, the Horowpathana Elephant Holding Ground was established in order to retain and rehabilitate rogue elephants captured from around the country.
Wild elephants that invade villages and cause damages to the properties and human lives have been retained at the holding ground since 2015.
According to the report of the elephant census conducted in June 2019, out of 52 elephants at the holding ground, only nine elephants were remaining and 12 elephants had died for various reasons.
The report also revealed that 5 elephants had died due to severe malnourishment although these claims have been rejected by officials of the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC).
