5 Dec 2010

Jungle war zone to become wildlife sanctuary

12:06 pm on 5 December 2010

Sri Lanka is turning an area of jungle that was a base for Tamil Tiger rebels, into a wildlife sanctuary.

The government said the former war zone, covering more than 40,000 hectares in Mullaitivu in northern Sri Lanka, would be used for wildlife conservation.

The BBC reports the area was the scene of heavy fighting during the final stages of the civil war 18 months ago.

Sri Lanka's wild elephant population has dwindled over the last century from around 15,000 to 4000.

For decades the jungles of Mullaitivu were at the heart of the Tamil Tiger insurgency. The Tigers buried hundreds of thousands of landmines there to protect their camps from advancing government troops.

It is estimated that 1.5 million landmines remain in the region.

A wildlife department official said the wildlife park would be open to the public only after the mines were removed - most likely next year.

A government statement said the park would be used to help Sri Lanka's dwindling elephant population.

The government says more than 200 animals were killed last year - electrocuted or shot by villagers.