April 10, Colombo (LNW): The government is preparing to initiate a fresh and more comprehensive animal census amid concerns over the reliability of previous data collected on the country’s wildlife populations.
The move comes as part of a broader strategy to implement structured animal management policies that align with international standards.
Addressing the media following a regional development meeting in Kandy, Agriculture Minister K. D. Lal Kantha acknowledged that the earlier attempt at conducting a national animal census had significant shortcomings.
He remarked that whilst it marked a step in the right direction, it fell short of providing the precise data required for effective policy planning.
The Minister emphasised that globally, countries with well-established wildlife and agricultural policies rely on rigorous census exercises before initiating any management measures.
Citing Australia as an example, he noted that even species such as kangaroos are monitored through detailed censuses before control or conservation actions are undertaken.
Sri Lanka, he stated, lacks a consistent history of systematic animal enumeration. The absence of dependable statistics, particularly in rural and forested regions, has made it difficult for authorities to formulate targeted interventions.
This gap in information has become increasingly significant given recent reports of growing human-wildlife conflicts in various parts of the island.
Minister Lal Kantha reiterated that accurate animal data is essential, especially when managing species whose populations are either surging beyond sustainable levels or are at risk.
He indicated that following the upcoming census, the government intends to roll out targeted programmes to address issues posed by certain species, notably monkeys, whose interactions with human settlements have escalated in recent years.
