12th Leopard death reported from Matale

COLOMBO (News1st): Sri Lanka recorded its 12th death of a leopard due to snare traps in a year on Sunday, stoking concerns among animal conservationists. The leopard had died in the Yatawatte area in the central city of Matale, officials said. Animal conservationists have warned that snare traps set-up across mixed habitats have threatened the existence of leopards in the country. Setting up snares that cause massive internal injuries is an offense under two laws and can result in a fine between Rs 30,000 to Rs 100,000 and imprisonment up to five years. "(If) any snares (are) found on a person's land, the owner will be held responsible," the department of wildlife conservation said. It urged the public to inform wildlife offices about any snare trap that has been set-up in their locality. The public can provide information on snares to the wildlife department on its 1992 hotline.