Male leopard found dead in Katukitula

28 July 2025 06:11 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 6 Bookmark

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Colombo, July 28 (Daily Mirror) - An adult male leopard was found dead in Katukitula area in the Kothmale in what is suspected to be yet another tragic incident involving the illegal use of 'Hakka Patas'—a deadly trap commonly used to kill wild animals.

A post related to the incident is currently being shared on X (formerly Twitter).

According to the post, officials from the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) recovered the leopard’s carcass, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of death.

However, the wildlife authorities have strongly condemned the continued use of banned devices such as Hakka Patas and have urged the public to support ongoing efforts to protect Sri Lanka’s endangered species.

Several attempts to contact senior officials of the DWC for comment were unsuccessful.

Comments - 6

Planter John Monday, 28 July 2025 06:48 PM

Leopard deaths are usually the indirect result of wild boar traps to protect the crops. This hakka pattas (and snares) are usually meant for wildboar. Conservationists and government should consider advanced methods to increase the community food security and protect crops from wild boar. Wild boar themselves come to the estate due to dwindling forest resources from deforestation. Otherwise impoverished and hungry people will take matters into their own hands with easily available means such as hakka pattas. Conservation is must not only just consider natural sciences, but economics as well.

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D P P Prasad Monday, 28 July 2025 06:52 PM

The carcass should be thoroughly examined by the veterinary surgeons in order to ascertain the cause of death of this animal This leapord almost might have been killed by using a deadly trap. Sometimes it might have been administered poison by the poachers On the other hand the wild elephants are electrocuted by the land owners who are residing adjacent to the wildlife sanctuaries. Some elephants are run over by the trains. But subject minister reiterates that there is a big conspiracy behind the killing of these wild animals. However that statement is also questionable. Eventually all elephants and leopards will be extinct within few years. Only taxidermized elephants and leopards will be left for the future generations

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Umar Perera Tuesday, 29 July 2025 08:20 AM

We seem intent on destroying our wildlife.

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M Fernando Tuesday, 29 July 2025 11:42 AM

Visit Sri Lanka ! Come see dead wildlife!

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R. K. D. C. Bernard Tuesday, 29 July 2025 04:25 PM

Wild life sanctuaries are encroached for number of necessities of state and illicit level. Anyway those animals come for foods to the closed villages. It's the only problem and if their territories are saved usually they don't come to the villages. But these animals are carnivorous means no enough foods for them in the forest and also remained forest aren't adequate for that type of species. How ever and what ever in India also faces this trouble just like us. Large scale of forests are located there but those carnivorous animals come for their foods to adjacent villages mostly and dogs are catched for foods. No solution for this tragedy.

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ashwini Wednesday, 30 July 2025 12:24 PM

Such a tragic loss. The continued use of Hakka Patas is not just cruel—it’s a devastating blow to our already endangered wildlife. Leopards play a vital role in the ecosystem, and their senseless death reflects the urgent need for stronger enforcement and public awareness. It’s time we, as a nation, stop tolerating these barbaric practices and demand real change from authorities.

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