Peacocks, monkeys, deer make their way into urban areas including Colombo
By Charithya Kumarasiri
The increasing presence of wildlife, including peacocks, monkeys and deer, in urban areas is largely linked to habitat loss, disruptions to natural food chains and the decline of predator populations, according to Hasini Sarathchandra, an official of the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC).
Speaking to Daily Mirror, Sarathchandra said expanding human settlements, industrialisation and development had reduced natural habitats of wildlife, particularly in the low-country wet zone, forcing wildlife to move into urban areas, bringing animals into closer contact with people, raising concerns over human-wildlife encounters in areas such as Colombo.
“Predators play an important role in controlling wildlife populations. For instance, foxes prey on peacock eggs, helping regulate their numbers. However, with habitat loss and a decline in predator populations, this natural balance is disrupted, contributing to the increase in peacocks in urban areas,” she said.
Monkeys have also increasingly come into contact with human settlements as their natural habitats shrink. Sarathchandra noted that these animals are commonly found in the low-country wet zone, including the Kegalle and Kalutara districts, where industrialisation, development and expanding human settlements have placed pressure on wildlife habitats. She added that the loss of natural habitats has also made small mammals more likely to move into urban areas.
Deer have also been reported in urban and semi-urban areas, including Homagama. Sarathchandra said the deer population in the area had increased from two deer brought into a household as pets.
As wildlife increasingly shares space with people, concerns over safety can arise, particularly when animals behave aggressively or pose a risk of biting. According to Sarathchandra, several regional offices under the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), including Colombo Wildlife Range Office, Western Province Wildlife Office in Gampaha, Muthurajawela Wildlife Range Office and Attidiya Wildlife Range Office, take precautionary measures in response to wildlife-related complaints.
She said that when an animal is reported to be attacking or biting people, the DWC, through its regional offices, captures the animal and relocates it to a suitable habitat away from urban settlements. Injured animals are taken to the Attidiya Wildlife Hospital for treatment and, once recovered, released into an appropriate habitat. For instance, deer requiring relocation are released into suitable national parks in the dry zone.
However, Sarathchandra said eliminating wildlife from urban areas would be difficult, as the presence of these animals is linked to wider changes in their natural environments. The Department’s interventions therefore focus on responding to specific safety concerns, treating injured animals and relocating them to suitable habitats where necessary.
