Thousands of wildlife officials and volunteers in Sri Lanka are participating in the country's first national census of its wild elephant population.

Sri Lanka's wildlife department says the count will provide valuable information to protect the elephants.

Conservationists are boycotting the poll, alleging the count is a smoke screen for capturing and domesticating the elephants.

Census workers have taken up positions across the country to physically count elephants as they come to drink from watering holes and reservoirs.

The elephant count is set to be completed Saturday.