Two people have been arrested in separate raids in Matara over the alleged possession and attempted sale of ornaments made from protected animal parts, including elephant ivory, the Department of Wildlife Conservation said.

In the first raid, officers of the Panahaduwa Wildlife Range Office arrested a suspect near the Matara main bus stand on September 21 while he was allegedly preparing to sell a pendant made from elephant ivory.

The arrest followed a lengthy investigation into the alleged illegal trade. The suspect and the seized item were subsequently produced before the Matara Additional Magistrate’s Court, where a fine of Rs. 70,000 was imposed in connection with the ivory pendant.

In a separate operation on the same day, wildlife officers raided a location in Thihagoda following information that another individual was in possession of an ivory bracelet.

Officers recovered an elephant ivory bracelet, an ivory pendant, a pendant containing a leopard tooth and an ivory amulet from the suspect’s possession.

The second suspect was also produced before the Matara Additional Magistrate’s Court, with the case scheduled to be taken up again on November 20.

The Wildlife Department said the possession, display, transportation and trade of protected animal parts are prohibited under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance and warned that action would be taken against those involved in such activities.

The public has been urged to report information on illegal wildlife-related activities through the 1992 Wildlife Emergency Hotline. (Newswire)

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