Mahasen

Wild in Minneriya, Somawathiya

3.00m

Height

Estimated

1.83m

Tusks

Reported as over 6 ft

Known for his crossed tusks, at over six feet the largest pair documented on any wild tusker on the island. One of the oldest surviving wild tuskers, he is now confined to smaller forest patches by age and the weight of his tusks. Treated from late December 2025 for gunshot wounds and injuries from a fight with another tusker, without general anaesthesia because of his age.

Born

Unknown

Estimated age

60

Also known as

T037; Somawathiya Tusker; Kathira Dala Etha (crossed-tusk elephant)

First photographed

2002, by Vajira Wijegunawardena

Range

Minneriya, Kaudulla, Maduru Oya and Somawathiya

Current range

Forest patches between Kakirawa and Maradankadawala

The Gathering

Visited Minneriya each April for about two months

2017 scare

Unseen for about eight months, prompting fears he had been poached

Injuries

Repeated gunshot wounds over the years; treated December 2025 to January 2026