Arrested for capturing protected birds

• He often visited the upcountry and captured birds from their nests. Wildlife conservators said it was illegal to change the environment and the living conditions of birds and animals, and that they should be allowed to live and breed freely in their natural habitats

By Hiran Priyankara   

An individual who captured birds and animals and sold them in secret was arrested by wildlife conservators during a raid in Puttalam town.   

Officials said the suspect had captured birds in the central hills and animals in the dry zone forests and sold them and that he had been carrying on the racket over a period of time.  

They said the birds and animals captured and sold by him for excessive prices belonged to animal species endangered of extinction and protected by the Fauna and Flora ordinance.   

Investigations revealed that he often visited the upcountry and captured birds from their nests. Wildlife conservators said it was illegal to change the environment and the living conditions of birds and animals, and that they should be allowed to live and breed freely in their natural habitats.   

Under interrogation, he stated that he gave publicity to his contraband trade through social media and attracted customers.   

He was in possession of several birds endemic to Sri Lanka and endangered with extinction and cages. Officials said the suspect was arrested with the help of a decoy who offered a price of Rs.7,000 to purchase one of the birds.   

The suspect was to be produced before Puttalam Magistrate last morning.   

• Under interrogation, he stated that he gave publicity to his contraband trade through social media and attracted customers