In this episode of War on Nature, conservation photojournalist Paul Hilton documents the escalating human-elephant conflict in and around Wasgamuwa National Park in Sri Lanka.
For generations, elephants have followed instinctive migration routes through the landscape. Today, local communities are attempting to alter these ancient movement patterns as they struggle to coexist with one of the world’s most iconic and threatened species. This episode offers a close look at the challenges facing both people and elephants as development, habitat pressure, and changing landscapes bring them into increasing conflict.
Hilton, one of the world’s leading conservation photojournalists, has spent years documenting the threats facing elephants and other endangered wildlife. His relationship with Global Conservation spans more than a decade.
The film also features conservationist Vinod Malwatte, Executive Director of the Lanka Environmental Fund, who shares with Hilton the challenges of addressing human-elephant conflict in affected communities, along with broader issues surrounding national park protection in Sri Lanka.
What will it take to create a future where people and elephants can coexist and protect the ecosystems they both depend on?
Human-elephant conflict is one of the most complex conservation challenges facing Sri Lanka. Protecting elephant habitat while supporting the communities living alongside these animals requires long-term solutions, local leadership, and effective protection of national parks.
Global Conservation works to protect endangered national parks and UNESCO World Heritage Sites in developing countries through its Global Park Defense program, working alongside local and indigenous communities to strengthen park protection and defend critical ecosystems.
