Wildlife officers arrested three suspects on January 14 for illegally entering and remaining inside Wilpattu National Park, where they allegedly set up temporary camps and engaged in the hunting of wild animals, Department of Wildlife Conservation reported.
During the operation in the Telbipuwa Wewa area, officers seized a 12-bore shotgun with its serial number removed, eight live cartridges of 12 and 04 (SG) type, and 14 empty cartridge cases. Authorities also recovered 66 kilograms of meat from a protected mammal, the spotted deer, and 18.3 kilograms of wild boar meat. In total, 22 items were taken into custody as case property.
Three other suspects believed to be involved in the incident fled the area and remain at large. Wildlife officers said further investigations are underway to locate and arrest them.
Details of the alleged wildlife offense were reported to the Nochchiyagama Magistrate’s Court on Jan. 16. The three arrested suspects were remanded in custody until Jan. 26, when the case is scheduled to be recalled. (NewsWire)