Animals and wildlife

Worldwide, stronger protection has helped push tiger numbers up from a low of roughly 3,200 in 2010 to around 5,800 today.

As Minister Jayatissa and experts emphasise, the private sector’s dynamism, combined with targeted public support, offers the best path to a competitive, sustainable livestock industry that delivers for consumers, producers, and the nation.

The High Court’s procedural victory for the activists keeps hope alive for preserving one of the Indian Ocean’s most celebrated marine protections.

This development reflects evolving societal values in Sri Lanka, where animal welfare is increasingly seen not just as a moral imperative but as integral to sustainable development and compassionate governance.

The persistence of illegal hunting and trade underscores a tension between traditional practices, economic necessity, and modern conservation imperatives.

The Sundarbans is not just a UNESCO World Heritage site or a tiger sanctuary – it is a living landscape where humans and wildlife have long coexisted, often at great cost.

Traffickers remain adaptable and profit-driven. Yet for the first time in years, the region’s enforcement community is not merely reacting – it is organising, training and collaborating at a scale designed to outpace the criminals.

To harness AI’s full potential, the ORF recommends four priority actions.