Wildlife workers in Sri Lanka say two elephants were recently found dead after eating plastic waste in an open landfill.(AP Photo/Achala
Illegally erected electric fence and traps set up to prevent wild elephants from entering human settlements are seen in Ashraf Nagar in Ampara district, about 210 kilometers (130 miles) east of the capital Colombo, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022.(AP Photo/Achala Pussalla)
Wild elephants search for food at an open landfill in Pallakkadu village in Ampara district, about 210 kilometers (130 miles) east of the capital Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022.Illegally erected electric fence and traps set up to prevent wild elephants from entering human settlements are seen in Ashraf Nagar in Ampara district, about 210 kilometers (130 miles) east of the capital Colombo, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022.Wild elephants search for food at an open landfill in Pallakkadu village in Ampara district, about 210 kilometers (130 miles) east of the capital Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022.(AP Photo/Achala Pussalla)
Pushpakumara said hungry elephants can end up eating plastics or sharp objects that can damage their digestive systems.In 2017, the government announced a plan to recycle waste in dumps near wildlife areas, or zones, to prevent elephants from eating dangerous materials.The incidents happened at a landfill near a village in the Ampara District, about 210 kilometers east of the capital, Colombo.He told The Associated Press that examinations of the dead animals showed they had swallowed large amounts of plastic that is not biodegradable.Elephants are deeply respected in Sri Lanka.Nihal Pushpakumara is a veterinarian, a doctor for animals.