World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
Sri Lankan photographer urges respect for elephants over photographs
Sri Lankan wildlife photographer Ravindralal Anthonis says photographers should put elephants’ welfare ahead of getting a good picture.
The 80-year-old has spent decades observing and photographing tuskers, elephants—typically males—with large tusks.
He began identifying and naming individual elephants after an encounter in Yala National Park showed him that different tuskers could be mistaken for one another.
Names such as Kublai Khan and Rudy helped give the elephants identities beyond scientific codes and bring their stories closer to the public.
The death of celebrated tusker Kavantissa from a gunshot injury has prompted grief, protests and debate in Sri Lanka about whether photographers who follow elephants can expose or harass them.
Anthonis says young photographers should build their skills, learn about the animals they photograph and use their work to support conservation.
Veteran Sri Lankan wildlife photographer and conservationist Ravindralal Anthonis urges photographers to respect elephants and understand their subjects.
The death of celebrated tusker Kavantissa from a gunshot injury has renewed debate about whether photographers’ attention can put elephants at risk.
Anthonis pioneered identifying and naming individual tuskers to help the public recognize their individual stories.
Now 80, he encourages young photographers to develop their skills and support conservation through their work.
He says the shift from film to digital photography has often come at the expense of artistic discipline.
- Who
- Ravindralal Anthonis, a Sri Lankan wildlife photographer and conservationist.
- What
- He urges photographers to respect elephants and has called for greater understanding of wildlife subjects and conservation.
- When
- The article was published November 9, 2026. The date of Kavantissa’s death is not stated.
- Where
- Sri Lanka, including Yala and Wilpattu national parks.
- Why
- Kavantissa’s death prompted debate about whether photographers who follow tuskers may put them at risk through overexposure or harassment.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Anthonis says his mother gave him a book about wildlife when he was a student at St. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia.
His uncle took him to Wilpattu National Park, where he watched elephants through binoculars.
Anthonis served as president of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society.
Kavantissa died from a gunshot injury, prompting grief, protests and debate about photographers’ effects on tuskers.
- Age
- Anthonis is 80.
- Organization
- Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS)
- Presidency
- 2005–2007
- National park
- Wilpattu National Park
- Named tuskers
- Kublai Khan, Rudy, Patch and Roland
1 source
What people are saying
My interest in wildlife began at a very young age.
That experience made me think about the importance of individual identification.