Target: Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka
Goal: Remove plastic from dumps that poses threat to environmental and wildlife health.
An estimated 20 elephants have died as a direct result of an environmental menace in Sri Lanka. These animals are revered in the nation and their killing is prohibited. Yet an open landfill has very likely led to the deaths of the elephants. While searching for food in the landfill, the elephants are believed to have eaten large amounts of nonbiodegradable plastic. Over time, this toxic substance is a death sentence.
The Sri Lankan government had previously committed to actions that would address this crisis, from banning plastic imports to the current solution of digging trenches around the dump that has caused the most problems. And five years ago, the government announced a plan to recycle plastic waste in dumps that were in close proximity to wildlife zones. This latter initiative has never come to fruition, though, as 54 dumps containing plastic still remain in direct contact with wildlife zones and with the elephants that roam these areas.
Sign the petition below to demand Sri Lanka’s leadership honor its long past-due commitment.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear President Rajapaksa,
This country values its majestic elephants, so why is one of the most direct threats to their existence still unaddressed? Last yar, Sri Lanka saw a dramatic rise in elephant deaths, and much of this crisis has been attributed to the prevalence of plastic waste dumps (54, to be exact) within critical wildlife zones. Several years ago, this government promised that it would remove non-biodegradable waste from these dumps and recycle it.
The plastic still remains five years later, and the death toll keeps climbing. Plastic pollution is an urgent threat to all living beings, so a sincere commitment to curtailing this crisis will serve not only elephants but all animals and all humans. Please take action on waste dump plastic removal at once and, in the long run, a complete removal of dumps and the dangers they pose in wildlife habitats.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: E. Gilchrist
The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals.
Absolutely!!
That is so true and perfectly said. That would be something I’d wear on a shirt so all could read and appreciate.😊 For now we need to continue signing petitions.😉
It was said by Mahatma Ghandi.
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes Mahatma Ghandi was right about this.
Yes! And same can be said about people, neighborhoods, cities, states and businesses!How animals are treated tells me everything I need to know!
I agree 100%
HELP THESE ELEPHANTS!!~!
Absolutely heartbreaking. Those poor elephants have had their natural habitat and food supplies taken over by humans. In return humans leave their disgusting plastic waste which kills the elephants. Shame on Sri Lanka.
Elephants are magnificent beings and must be saved from this and piaching.
Stop killing the elephants!!
that’s right!!! Stop Killing all this beautiful Elephants!!!
Stupid and lazy people- clean up your damn garbage!!!
Coincido contigo Barbara, la gente no toma conciencia del terrible daño que provocan😡…
IT’S PLAIN IGNORANCE, LACK OF EDUCATION AND MOSTLY POVERTY WHAT MAKES THEM SO UNCIVILIZED
disgusting people have no pity for animals
THESE MORONS SHOULD CLEAN UP AFTER THEMSELVES.
WE CAN NOT AFFIRD TO LOSE ANOTHER ONE OF THESE MAGNIFICENT CREATURES TO NEGLIGENCE AND/OR INDIFFERENCE. BAD RNOUGH POACHERS SLAUGHTER THEM FOR IVORY/GREED. .
What a shame that people need to be TOLD to protect God’s precious creatures.
Please please please protect these elephants.
We have to ditch plastic collectively!!!
The death of one Elephant is one too many and so it is appalling that the actions of human beings caused the deaths of 20 Elephants from carelessness and neglect. Inexcusable. These deaths are no mystery. Plastic is the known cause so why isn’t quick action being done to prevent more deaths?
This sounds like something that can be easily rectified. It should not have been left to fester so damn long! So why? Get it done before more tragedy….
Perhaps those that were in charge of resolving this situation should be fired and new people with heart should take over the task pronto!
Just please STOP your madness NOW! CLEAN IT UP, IMPOSE HEAVY FINES AND JAIL. SAVE THESE MAGNIFICENT CREATURES NOW!
A lot of the plastic has come via outside influences (Coca cola & other western businesses etc) – traditional packaging isn’t plastic. Sri Lanka is also in crisis right now, with curfews, power cuts, food & medicine shortages – Covid has stopped the income from tourism which the country relies on. Saving the elephants may sound a simple thing to do, but it won’t be, especially at the moment
LET’S SAVE THE ELEPHANTS!!!!!!!
Ukraine never give up.
Never give in.
Fight !!!!
that’s right!!! Stop Killing all this beautiful Elephants!!!
Stop the killing 2 the elephants!!!!