Sri Lanka has conducted its first-ever animal census, excluding elephants, officials said on Friday.adding that people across the island will count Toque monkeys, purple-faced langurs, giant squirrels, and peacocks between 8 and 8:05 a.m. (local time) on Saturday. The aim is to assess the impact of human wildlife conflict on annual crop damage. “We hope everyone will participate and extend support to this valuable exercise,” GVV Shamini, Additional Director for Development from the Department of Agriculture, told reporters.
She said around 40,000 state officials covering the over 14,200 administrative units nationwide will be deployed for the census. “The data will be important for assessing crop losses and action needed to minimise the impact on animals,” said J. ushpakumara, Director of the Ministry of Agriculture.
The animal census is not being conducted with the aim of obtaining 100% accurate data but rather as a survey to estimate the number of monkeys, giant squirrels and peacocks living in these areas, Agriculture Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne said.
Addressing a television programme, he said that the data obtained from the census is expected to be used to enhance agricultural productivity.
“Sometimes, we may need to conduct another round of this survey, which will require more time. While we can gather some useful insights, we cannot claim that the data will be 100% accurate. There must be relevant data for analysis, which would then allow us to conduct a study on the country’s wildlife,” he said.
As part of the census, forms are being distributed to every household, and everyone, including children, is encouraged to participate. This initiative aims to engage the public, as no similar activity has been conducted before. This time, the animal census will be conducted in the form of a survey.
“The survey will focus solely on monkeys, giant squirrels and peacocks within a specific time frame in designated areas. It will not include other wild animals found in forests or agricultural zones. If we were to add porcupines and wild boars to the list, it would be impractical, as these animals are nocturnal and roam at night,” the Minister explained.
The census is scheduled to take place nationwide on March 15, from 8:00 to 8:05 a.m.
This survey aims to provide a rough estimate of the number of wild animals coexisting with humans in areas within five minutes such as farmlands, estates, home gardens, religious sites, and schools, excluding forests and dense vegetation.
Once the data is collected, it will help identify the regions with the highest populations of the specified animals. Additionally, this information could be incorporated into school curriculum materials, benefiting students from Grade Five to university level.
“We do not have the means to use advanced technical methods for this census, as it would be costly. Instead, we are conducting a participatory survey,” he said.
“Sometimes, survey papers may be given to those who are not interested, but we cannot refuse to distribute them. Everyone should have access to the survey,” Minister Karunaratne added.
Therefore, Minister Karunaratne urged the public not to view this initiative through a political perspective, emphasizing that everyone must contribute to the development of agriculture in the country.
