Man caught killing and skinning protected fishing cat

Colombo, July 28 (Daily Mirror) - A man has been arrested for killing and skinning a fishing cat which is an animal classified as highly protected within the Karawilagala area of the Pallekele Sanctuary in Kahalla, authorities said.

According to the Wildlife Conservation Department, the suspect was apprehended while committing the offence and is scheduled to be produced before the Kekirawa Magistrate’s Court tomorrow (29).

The fishing cat is a protected species under Sri Lanka’s Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, and harming or killing one is a punishable offence.

Wildlife officials have launched further investigations into the incident.