Wildlife officers attached to the Udawalawe National Park have uncovered an illegally cultivated cannabis plot inside the protected reserve on Thursday (14).

The cultivation site was located in the Ali Dutugala area under the Panahaduwa range office and covered approximately a quarter of an acre.

No suspects were present at the location at the time of the raid, and the cannabis plants were subsequently uprooted and destroyed by fire, while details of the operation were reported to the Embilipitiya Magistrate’s Court.

Investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible for the cultivation.

The raid was carried out by officers attached to the Panahaduwa Wildlife Protection Office under the direction of area wildlife officials. (Newswire)

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Six elephants who were under the care of the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home were released into the wild.

The young elephants were raised at the facility after losing their mothers. The elephants were released to the Maw Are reserve within the Udawalawe National Park.

This marks the 26th such release from the transit home, which follows specialized protocols to prepare elephants for reintegration into the wild.

The operation was overseen by officials including Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody, MP Upul Kithsiri and Wildlife Conservation Department Director General Ranjan Marasinghe.

The Minister also inspected the current conditions at the facility and discussed operational challenges with staff.

Wildlife officers emphasized the continued importance of monitoring released elephants and maintaining conservation efforts within the national park. (Newswire)

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