Leopard trapped in a snare in Yatiyanthota

COLOMBO (News1st) : A leopard was trapped in a snare in Yatiyanthota on Friday, hours before a rare black leopard, which was rescued from a snare, had died, sparking outrage in the island. Upon being notified, wildlife officers had taken steps to tranquilize and rescue the animal, which had been trapped behind a house in the area. The animal had been caught at around 8:30 am, when wildlife officers had been treating a rare black leopard which had been rescued on May 27. "We will enforce the law against those who set-up snares to trap animals," wildlife minister S.M. Chandrasena said after the black leopard had died at around 10:30 am. The black leopard had succumbed to the injuries caused to its muscles and tissues, Malaka Abeywardana, a veterinary surgeon which treated the animal said. Environmentalists have warned that leopards are vulnerable to snares which can trap an animal around its neck or the body using a noose made usually by wire or a strong string. The people should be made aware that setting up snare traps are unlawful according to the existing laws, Dr. Tharaka Prasad, a director at the wildlife department noted.