Leopard carcass with gunshot wounds found in Maskeliya

September 22, 2020 at 4:35 PM

The carcass of a leopard with gunshot wounds to its head has been recovered from the Brownlow Estate in Maskeliya.

Nallathanniya Wildlife Ranger Prabash Karunathileke said the carcass was found yesterday (21).

Employees of the Brownlow estate had informed the Nallathanniya Wildlife Department of the carcass which was found below a school situated within the estate.

Prabash Karunathileke said the leopard, which is assumed to be 06 years of age, was found with three gunshot wounds to its head.

A special investigation has been launched to apprehend the suspect involved in killing the animal.

Facts on the incident have been presented before Hatton Magistrate’s Court, while the carcass has been sent to the Randenigala Animal Hospital for a postmortem examination, he added.

Nearly 08 leopards have been killed due to snares in Sri Lanka, so far in this year.

However, the leopard carcass found yesterday is the first to be found with gunshot wounds. (NewsWire)