Investigations have been launched after a tusker was found dead with its left tusk cut off and removed in a forested area in Kahatagasdigiliya, the Department of Wildlife Conservation said.
The carcass was discovered on Sunday (01) by wildlife officers in a forested area adjoining a paddy field near the Kayagollewa tank, within the Meeminnawala Grama Niladhari Division.
According to wildlife officials, the tusker is believed to have died approximately 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 deceased tusker is estimated to have been between 20 and 25 years old and approximately seven feet tall.
The circumstances surrounding the death are expected to be reported to the Kahatagasdigiliya Magistrate’s Court today (02), while a post-mortem examination will be conducted by the Pandulagama Wildlife Veterinary Unit to determine the cause of death.
Meanwhile, wildlife officers and Civil Defence Force personnel have been deployed to protect the carcass.
The Kahatagasdigiliya Police, Army Intelligence and wildlife officials have commenced investigations to identify and arrest those responsible for removing the tusk and to establish the circumstances surrounding the animal’s death. (Newswire)
