Wildlife officers have discovered and disabled an illegally installed trap gun near a maize cultivation in Anuradhapura, close to where the well-known elephant Agbo was roaming.
The discovery was made during a patrol conducted by officers of the Thirappane Wildlife Office on Saturday (7), as part of efforts to monitor and protect Agbo.
During the operation, officers located the elephant near a maize cultivation close to Nochchikulama Tank in the Mihintale area.
While inspecting the surrounding area, a wildlife officer came into contact with a tripwire connected to a trap gun.
The officers subsequently identified and safely disabled the weapon.
During a follow-up search on Sunday (8), wildlife officers discovered several items used to install trap guns inside a hut at a nearby cultivation site.
A man found at the location was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the incident.
According to wildlife officials, the suspect admitted during questioning that he had installed the trap gun at a height of approximately five feet to target elephants.
The weapon is suspected to have been installed to prevent elephants from entering the maize cultivation, although officials have not confirmed the exact motive.
The suspect and seized equipment are expected to be produced before the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court on Monday (9).
Wildlife officials said this was the second occasion on which a trap gun had been discovered near Agbo during patrols aimed at protecting the elephant.
They warned that elephants injured by such illegal weapons are often discovered only after their wounds become infected, making treatment difficult.
Meanwhile, wildlife officers and the armed forces are continuing the special Hasthi Sena operation to identify individuals involved in manufacturing, installing and using illegal weapons targeting wild elephants.
The latest operation was conducted under the supervision of Wildlife Range Assistant Buddhika Athukorala, officer in charge of the Thirappane Beat Office. (Newswire)
