24 August 2020 12:10 am
Another leopard succumbed to injuries as a result of snaring early yesterday raising the total count of leopard deaths to eight just for this year.
The carcass was found at a private estate in Doluwa, Ambagasthenna in Kandy. According to Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) Director-General Chandana Sooriyabandara DWC officials have been able to reach the location within half an hour.
“But the animal was dead by then. It’s not easy to trace all places where snares have been kept. But we have continuously educated people and estate managements on why this poses a risk to wildlife, especially the leopard,” Sooriyabandara said.
He added that the DWC sees a progress on the side of estate managements where they go on a daily routine check to remove snares in their estates.
“They have also created WhatsApp groups and are coordinating with the DWC. If they spot a leopard and finds out an incident of snaring they immediately inform us.”
When asked what happens to a leopard’s carcass after a postmortem Sooriyabandara said that it depends on the court order. “The court informs us about what needs to be done to the carcass.”
However, according to Dr. Tharaka Prasad, Director-Wildlife Health at DWC, the leopard was in a hanging position by the time the DWC officials visited the site. “Due to this position the abdomen and vital organs would have exerted pressure on the diaphragm and lungs thereby leading to dyspnea (shortness of breath).”