Buddhist monks pray for the dead elephant Hemantha during a religious ceremony at a Buddhist temple in Colombo March 15, 2016. Elephant Hemantha, which died from injuries to its feet, was under medical treatment for the last six months. The elephant used to march at street parades during festivals held by the temple. Elephant Hemantha died at age 23. Wild elephants have long lifespans, reaching 60–70 years of age. (Photo by Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters)





An officer from Wild Life takes pictures of the dead body of elephant Hemantha before the religious ceremony at a Buddhist temple in Colombo March 15, 2016. (Photo by Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters)





Mahout Wasantha cries next to his elephant Hemantha's dead body during a religious ceremony at a Buddhist temple in Colombo March 15, 2016. (Photo by Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters)





A covered dead body of elephant Hemantha is seen during a religious ceremony at a Buddhist temple in Colombo March 15, 2016. (Photo by Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters)





Local villagers prepare to bury the body of elephant Hemantha during a religious ceremony at a Buddhist temple in Colombo March 15, 2016. (Photo by Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters)





Buddhist monks stand next to elephant Hemantha's dead body during a religious ceremony at a Buddhist temple in Colombo March 15, 2016. (Photo by Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters)





Local villagers prepare to bury the body of elephant Hemantha during a religious ceremony at a Buddhist temple in Colombo March 15, 2016. (Photo by Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters)





A covered dead body of elephant Hemantha is seen during a religious ceremony at a Buddhist temple in Colombo March 15, 2016. (Photo by Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters)





Flowers offered by local villagers seen on the dead body of elephant Hemantha is seen during a religious ceremony at a Buddhist temple in Colombo March 15, 2016. (Photo by Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters)





Local villagers prepare to bury the body of elephant Hemantha during a religious ceremony at a Buddhist temple in Colombo March 15, 2016. (Photo by Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters)