When MEF launched its Tuberculosis (TB) appeal in February 2002 the appeal was based around Mawatha Menike a 46 year old female Asian Elephant. Whilst unfortunately Mawatha Menike died soon after, MEF's TB appeal goes on.

The MEF TB Appeal seeks to raise the awareness of the TB risk for Sri Lankan elephants and promote the benefits of regular testing. Funds raised for the TB Appeal will be used both to educate about TB and to implement the important annual testing.

MEF wishes to promote the Guidelines for the Control of Tuberculosis in elephants as compiled by the American Tuberculosis Working Group for Zoo and Wildlife Species (Jan 2000) as a basis for establishing Sri Lanka's own TB control Guidelines. We are actively pursuing this matter with the Elephant Owner's Association and the Department of Wildlife & Natural Resources. If you wish to view the American Guidelines please visit:

www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/ElphTBGuidelines2000.html

If you would like to make a donation toward MEF's TB Appeal or would like more information please contact us at Elefound@sltnet.lk

MEF is continuing its campaign for funding to allow the mobile veterinary unit to regularly test the domestic elephant population for TB all over Sri Lanka.

Mathawa Menike was the first elephant confirmed positive with TB in Sri Lanka while still alive and for this reason was medically important. There are approximately 182 domesticated elephants (privately owned) and at least 100 more government owned captive elephants living in Sri Lanka. There are no guidelines enforcing regular testing for TB for any of these animals ­ yet. Now that we have proven that elephants in Sri Lanka have contracted TB we are continuing our TB Appeal but with a focus of early detection and treatment.