A man who attempted to sell the shell of a protected sea snail for Rs. 500,000 has been arrested by wildlife officers in the Padalangala area of Embilipitiya.
The Department of Wildlife Conservation said the raid was carried out on August 17 following information received by wildlife officers.
The suspect had advertised the shell for sale on social media for Rs. 500,000. Wildlife officers subsequently arrested the suspect and seized the shell.
The suspect was produced before the Embilipitiya Magistrate’s Court, where he was ordered to pay a fine of Rs. 40,000.
According to the Wildlife Department, the species, known locally as the “Sri Lanka Map Snail” due to the appearance of its shell, is the horned helmet sea snail. Its scientific name is Cassis cornuta.
The department said the capture, possession and trade of certain species of marine snails are strictly prohibited under Sri Lanka’s Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance as part of efforts to protect the country’s marine biodiversity.
Marine snails also play an important role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems, with some species helping protect coral reefs by feeding on organisms that can damage them, the department said. (Newswire)