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WHAT IS THE B35 PROJECT?
The B35 Project started in January 2024 when Serendipity Wildlife Foundation conducted a preliminary investigation into the elephant – vehicle conflict on the B35 road from Sella Kataragama and Buttala in southern Sri Lanka. With the interactions between wild elephants and vehicles on this road increasing, Serendipity Wildlife Foundation decided that a scouting team be assigned to the location for an initial investigation and report.

INITIAL INVESTIGATION, AND PHASE 2
An observer from India joined two representatives from Serendipity Wildlife Foundation for the initial investigation of three days on location. The team conducted continuous daytime patrols on the B35 road and photographed, videotaped, and documented their initial findings.

In June we collaborated with A ROCHA in India, and an expert on human-elephant conflict was brought in to Sri Lanka to work with our local personnel.  He has presented his report to our foundation and recommended steps to take to reduce further interaction between humans and elephants and hopefully eliminate the incidents on the B35.  

THE AREA
The B35 road plies from Sella Kataragama in the south to Buttala in the north. The road is a wide carpeted (tarred) road with vehicular traffic travelling both ways. The terrain on both sides of the road consists of thick brush and scrub.
The problem area is between GPS location 6.452634, 81.310336 on the south and GPS location 6.646369, 81.266734 on the north.


OUR IMMEDIATE AIM

EDUCATION:  Inform the community and foreign visitors NOT to feed the elephants 

ENFORCEMENT: If needed, fine offenders, as there already is an existing law that feeding wild animals is illegal.

PUBLICITY: Publicize the current problem, and seek help

VISUALS: Construct billboards and signs on the north and south side of the B35, reminding people that it is a fineable offense to feed the elephants
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HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Please support us and collaborate with us  to solve this issue before more people get hurt
or die.  If you are a business, provide accommodation to tourists,  wildlife guide, support us!  If you are an influencer, Youtuber, or publicist, please collaborate with us to get the message across.  We can be contacted at mail@csiwildlife.org