Hill country leopardess killed

• She had been entrapped in a wire noose and died several days ago

By Ranjith Rajapakseand Shantha Chandrasiri   

The killing of another hill country leopardess was reported yesterday from Rockwood estate in Norwood in the Nallathanniya wildlife range.   
The decomposed carcass of the leopardess was recovered by the wildlife conservators last morning. The officials said the leopardess had been entrapped in a wire noose and died several days ago.  

They said the workers in the estate had noticed it and informed the wildlife conservation office.   
Wildlife Veterinary Medical Officer at the Randenigala veterinary hospital Dr. Akalanka Pindeniya said the leopardess was between 4-5 years of age.   
He said he was told by a representative of an organisation conducting research on hill country leopards that the well grown leopardess had been frequenting the area since long.   
Dr. Pindeniya said the Department of Wildlife Conservation had created awareness among the Estate Superintendents and the workers on the need to search for wire traps laid by poachers to kill wild boar and to remove them.