Minister of Environment Dhammika Patabendi says investigations into the death of a tusker found in a forested area in Kahatagasdigiliya will be handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), it was reported.
According to News First, the Minister said steps would be taken to identify and arrest those responsible for removing one of the tusker’s tusks and ensure that legal action is taken against them.
The tusker was found dead in the Meeminnawala–Kayangollewa forest area in Kahatagasdigiliya, with one of its tusks cut off and removed.
According to earlier reports, wildlife officers discovered the carcass on Sunday (01) in a forested area adjoining a paddy field near the Kayangollewa Tank, within the Meeminnawala Grama Niladhari Division.
Wildlife officials believe the tusker, estimated to be between 20 and 25 years old and approximately seven feet tall, had died about a week before its body was discovered.
Preliminary observations suggest that the animal’s left tusk had been cut off using a weapon after its death.
The Kahatagasdigiliya Police, Army Intelligence and wildlife officials had already commenced investigations, while wildlife officers and Civil Defence Force personnel were deployed to protect the carcass. (Newswire)