- Asian Elephant News
- Posts
- 🐘 August 6 2026
🐘 August 6 2026
The Elephant News Service is provided by Save the Elephants for elephant lovers, scientists and conservationists who want to stay informed on the latest elephant news from reputable media sources worldwide. The stories are presented in no particular order.
The Statesman (India), August 5, 2026
The Bengal government is placing renewed emphasis on elephant conservation while addressing the growing challenge of human-elephant conflict in the region as north Bengal gears up to celebrate World Elephant Day. Bengal Forest Minister Manoj Kumar Oraon has announced the two-day programme, saying it will focus on protecting elephants and conserving forests and wildlife. Since assuming office, the minister has repeatedly stressed the need to strengthen forest conservation across the state, with special attention to north Bengal.
Ratopati (Nepal), August 5, 2026
A new wild elephant has started being seen in the Sauraha area of Chitwan National Park. A wild elephant, estimated to be around 18-19 years old, has been seen for about two weeks. According to Assistant Conservation Officer of the park, Pravin Poudel, the elephant stays in the buffer forest area of Sauraha. A few days ago, this elephant reached the elephant breeding center and was chased away by other wild elephants coming there. He said that it now comes to the places where the park's and National Trust for Nature Conservation's elephants are located in Sauraha.
Ifham Nizam, The Island (Sri Lanka), August 5, 2026
The government has launched a fresh national drive to tackle Sri Lanka’s long-standing human-elephant conflict (HEC), with a strong emphasis on restoring elephant corridors, establishing elephant enrichment zones and strengthening community participation as part of a new National Action Plan. The National Action Plan Monitoring Committee met in Parliament to chart a long-term strategy to reduce one of the country’s most pressing conservation and socio-economic challenges.
Rebecca Chong, The Star (Malaysia), August 5, 2026
Nearly 3,000 residents in three Batu Puteh villages are living in fear after more than 20 elephants repeatedly entered smallholdings and settlements nearby since July 25. At least 20 oil palm plots in Kampung Perpaduan Datuk Mohd Ugi, Kampung Batu Puteh and Kampung Manggaris have been affected, threatening villagers’ safety and livelihoods. Smallholder Abdul Azim Ramlun, 39, estimated that about 60% of the younger section of his farm had been damaged.
Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama, Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka), August 5, 2026
The Government is planning to restore blocked elephant migration routes and establish elephant enrichment zones as part of a new national strategy aimed at addressing Sri Lanka’s long-standing Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC). The Environment Ministry said measures were underway to clear obstructions along traditional elephant corridors and improve habitats within forest ecosystems through the "Vanaspathi" national programme.
Shillong Times (India), August 5, 2026
Four elephant tusks and a quantity of pangolin scales were seized by the Forest department in two separate operations in the Ri-Bhoi district. Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the illegal wildlife trade. In the first operation on July 18, the Nongpoh Wildlife Range, acting on intelligence from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), intercepted two suspects on Umwang Road. A search led to the recovery of four elephant tusks, suspected to be from the Asiatic Elephant.
Mongabay (U.S.), August 5, 2026
There’s a thriving illegal wildlife trade in Cambodia that caters to high-ranking government officials and wealthy Chinese nationals, according to a report on a yearlong undercover investigation by the U.S.-based NGO Earth League International (ELI). The report identified five kingpins allegedly running transnational criminal networks involved in wildlife smuggling, human and drug trafficking, and sophisticated scam centers. The investigation found that products made from parts of endangered species, including tigers, rhinos and elephants, are openly sold in shops and exclusive restaurants across the country.
Rashmi Drolia, Times of India (India), August 5, 2026
A covert deal to sell elephant ivory from a lodge room in Chhattisgarh’s Balrampur district was foiled after a joint team of the wildlife crime control bureau (WCCB) and the forest department swooped in, busting an interstate wildlife trafficking racket and arresting three suspects. Three pieces of elephant ivory, including tusk sections attached to the jaw, brought for an illegal sale, were seized during the operation. The team raided room number 205 of a private lodge in Ramanujganj, where the accused had assembled to strike the deal.
Prag News (India), August 4, 2026
Assam is once again grappling with the severe repercussions of human-elephant conflict following the tragic deaths of two individuals in separate incidents across Kamrup and Karbi Anglong districts. The fatalities, reported on Monday, underscore the escalating challenges faced by communities living near forest areas and the persistent threat posed by straying wild elephants. In Kamrup district, 60-year-old Bholanath Das was fatally trampled by a wild elephant in the early hours near the Sanpara-Kochpara area of Palashbari.