Abstract:
The aim of the study was to investigate and scientifically document
the eye colours of Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maxim us maxim us). This
was done using 123 domesticated elephants (64 males and 68 females)
between April 1993 and April 1994 in 13 of the 24 administrative districts
of the country. Both eyes were examined for the colour of the iris, and the
sex and morphotype of each animal was noted. The results show two eye
colours, brown [113 (91.8%): males 57, females 56)] and gray [10 (8.2%):
males 7, females 3] Brown had three shades; dark brown (12.2%: Atha =0,
Aliya 5, Pussa 1, Athinna 3, Alidena 6), light brown (59.3% : Atha 9, Aliya
23, Pussa 4, Athinna 19, Alidena 18) or honey (20.3% : Atha 1, Aliya 6,
Pussa 1, Athinna I, Alidena 2).
