(UTV | COLOMBO) – The suspect who laid a hunter’s snare in which a rare black leopard was found trapped in the Sri Pada reserve in the Lakshapana Estate in Nallathanniya has been arrested.
The suspect was arrested and is due to be produced before the Hatton Magistrate’s Court today.
The Nallathanniya Wildlife Office however stated the leopard was freed from the snare, following the intervention of a Wildlife Anaesthesiologist.
The leopard is presently at the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home being treated for his injuries.
The leopard was administered an anesthetic and was given basic medical treatment and was then taken to the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home.
About 1% of black leopards live in Sri Lanka’s forest reserves, while an exceptionally small number of black leopards live in the Sri Pada reserve.
The species is rare and endangered in Sri Lanka.