1 June 2020 09:50 pm
The body of black leopard, who died after being rescued in the Laxapana Estate, Nallathanniya while trapped in a snare, is to be sent to the Colombo National Museum, Wildlife Conservation Department Director General M.G.C. Sooriyabandara said.
He told Daily Mirror that the decision had been taken upon a request made by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana & Religious Affairs to the Wildlife Ministry. "The decision to send the body of black leopard to Museum will be finalised once the court proceedings into the death of leopard are over," the Director General said.
Moreover, he said a team from Peradeniya University is to examine the leopard and conduct a DNA analysis. "This will help uncover a lot of scientific information about the black leopard," he said. The black tiger died while being treated at the Elephant Transit Home at Udawalawe on May 29.
The animal was to be released to the Sri Pada forest reserve, its natural habitat after it fully recovers. But the leopard died in the morning from its wounds. The black leopard was trapped in a snare at Walamale in the Laxapana Estate, Nallathanniya and was rescued by the Wildlife officials.(Sheain Fernandopulle)