Elephant and calf in distress after mother shot in leg

A mother elephant and her calf are in a critical state near Galenbindunuwewa, Sri Lanka, after the mother sustained a gunshot wound to her front leg. The elephant, approximately 20 years old and standing nearly 9 feet tall, is reportedly in severe pain and unable to move forward.

The incident occurred in the vicinity of the Galenbindunuwewa, Huruluwewa, and Karadikgala reservoirs. The severity of the injury to the elephant's front leg is so great that she cannot take even a single step. Her calf, less than a year old, is also in a helpless situation alongside its injured mother.

Following a report from local villagers, officials from the Moragoda Wildlife Office arrived at the scene. They have since been observing the condition of the distressed elephant and her calf. The circumstances surrounding the shooting and the perpetrators remain unclear.