Hit and run vehicle kills leopardess in Yala

30 August 2015 04:19 pm

The carcass of a young female leopard was found inside the Yala National Park reportedly a victim of another hit and run tragedy. The authorities had received reports of several animals being killed by careless drivers transporting visitors on safari.

Wild Life Department Director General H.D. Ratnayake told Daily Mirror that the carcass of the three year-old leopardess was found yesterday with its spinal cord badly injured.

He said the loss of a Leopardess would endanger the species roaming the Yala sanctuary and added several hit and run incidents had taken place in its vicinity with about eight deer being killed.

Mr. Ratnayake said he would request the Road Development Authority (RDA) to set up a method of speed control to monitor the motorists who drive from Kirinda Junction to the Yala sanctuary entrance.

“With the intention of strengthening the safety of animals, our department took action to disconnect mobile networks for visitors within the Yala National Park from July 20 to September 6 because it has been found that some careless visitors had driven their vehicles fast to reach rare animals after receiving text messages from other visitors, who randomly notice rare animals such as leopards. We have taken legal action against those involved in accidents,” he said. (Piyumi Fonseka)