Two suspects have been arrested while allegedly butchering a protected deer in the Aranayake area, wildlife officials said.
The suspects, aged 52 and 62 and residents of Aranayake, were arrested by officers attached to the Bulathkohupitiya Wildlife Beat Office during a patrol on Tuesday (11).
The suspects had allegedly used cable snares to hunt animals in the hill country and had been involved in the illegal meat trade for an extended period.
Wildlife officers recovered about 10 kilograms of deer meat, five snares, the deer hide and the animal’s head from the suspects.
The suspects and the recovered items are due to be produced before the Aranayake Tourist Magistrate’s Court on Aug. 18. (Newswire)