# Sri Lankan Photographer Advocates Ethical Wildlife Photography Standards Veteran conservationist Ravindralal Anthonis warns against prioritizing photography over elephant welfare. - **Source:** [Mongabay](https://news.mongabay.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-09 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/c09e8853-3a1b-4c0e-aa84-7eafa50eb0a2 ## Tragic Loss Sparks Debate The death of Kavantissa, a renowned tusker in Sri Lanka, from a gunshot wound has ignited public outrage. This incident highlights the ongoing human-elephant conflict in the region. Critics are now questioning if wildlife photographers inadvertently endanger these animals by overexposing their locations or harassing them for the perfect shot. ## Veteran Perspective on Conservation Ravindralal Anthonis, a veteran photographer and former president of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society, views this debate as a symptom of shifting industry standards. Having documented tuskers for decades, he emphasizes that modern digital pressures contrast sharply with the patient, observation-based methods he practiced long before social media existed. ## Historical Context of Photography Anthonis began his journey in 1955 while a student at St. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia. His early fascination was sparked by literature, specifically the book Nine Man-Eaters. This foundation shaped his career, focusing on deep, long-term observation of individual animals rather than the rapid, high-volume output common in today's digital era. ## Leadership in Wildlife Protection During his tenure as president of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society from 2005 to 2007, Anthonis championed various conservation initiatives. His leadership role allowed him to influence policy and public perception regarding animal welfare. He remains a vocal advocate for maintaining ethical boundaries between human observers and wild elephant populations. ## The Evolution of Documentation Before the advent of digital cameras, wildlife photography required immense patience and physical endurance. Anthonis spent years identifying and naming individual tuskers, creating a detailed historical record of their lives. This slow-paced approach ensured minimal disturbance to the animals, contrasting with modern practices that often prioritize immediate social media engagement. ## Risks of Modern Exposure The current debate centers on whether photographers inadvertently reveal the locations of vulnerable tuskers to poachers or hostile actors. By sharing precise coordinates or overexposing these animals, photographers may be facilitating the very threats they claim to document. Anthonis argues that the welfare of the subject must always supersede image quality. ## Balancing Art and Ethics Anthonis maintains that wildlife photography should be an act of conservation rather than exploitation. He urges current practitioners to adopt a more disciplined approach, focusing on the animal's natural behavior rather than forced proximity. His career serves as a blueprint for how photographers can contribute to science through long-term, respectful observation. ## Future of Wildlife Advocacy As Sri Lanka grapples with human-elephant conflict, the role of photographers remains under scrutiny. The legacy of experts like Anthonis provides a necessary ethical framework for the next generation. Moving forward, the industry must decide if it will prioritize fleeting digital fame or the long-term survival of these majestic, endangered creatures. ## Sources covering this story - https://news.mongabay.com/2026/11/sri-lankan-wildlife-photographer-ravindralal-anthonis-urges-respect-for-elephants-over-good-shots/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._