Dark Portfolio Finalists | Nature Infocus
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During my three-month journey through Sri Lanka, I dedicated myself to photographing its wild denizens. Fascinated to learn about how wild elephants regularly cross paths with humans, especially in parts of northern Sri Lanka, I started documenting these gentle giants and quickly became aware of the increasing threat of human-elephant conflict in the region. Interactions between local communities and the wild tuskers often resulted in the loss of harvest, property and even human life, leading to retaliatory killings.

In this photo series, I focus on a different arm of the Anthropocene that plagues these pachyderms. Garbage dumps and local landfills bordering forests in the Ampara District, Eastern Province, have become regular feeding grounds for wild elephants. It is heartbreaking to watch these majestic mammals wade through oceans of trash in search of food.

Garbage dump in Sri Lanka
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It was far before midday. But the sun was already burning, and an overwhelming stench lingered in the air.
Wild elephant in a garbage dump in Sri Lanka
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The garbage dump bordered the jungle, and was freely accessible to the elephants.
Herd of elephants feeding on garbage in Sri Lanka
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Soon, a large herd had gathered in anticipation of the arrival of garbage trucks.
Elephants feeding on plastic bags in Sri Lanka
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The elephants seemed to consume everything from fast food packaging to whole plastic bags.
Elephant herd in a garbage dump in Sri Lanka
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Each consecutive garbage truck stole any sense of the wilderness that the elephants formally knew.
Elephant in a garbage dump
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From what was a small waste dump, the site grew to the point where I witnessed these large mammals wading through an ocean of trash.
Plastic in elephant dung
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What probably shouldn't have felt so alarming was the sheer amount of plastic in the dung they left behind.