Sri Lanka began a wildlife census on Saturday to count monkeys, peacocks and giant squirrels, aiming to manage their populations as farmers complain of agricultural losses. Agriculture accounts for 8% of the country's economy and employs 8.

The census conducted this morning was a success with wide participation, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Namal Karunaratna told reporters.

Sri Lankan officials have begun a nationwide count of nuisance wildlife, including monkeys and peacocks, to develop strategies for safeguarding crops. In Anuradhapura, authorities conducted surveys as part of the initiative,

Sri Lanka carried out a nationwide census Saturday of nuisance wildlife, including monkeys and peacocks, in a bid to prepare countermeasures to protect crops, officials said.