An investigation is underway over the death of a leopard in the Summer Hill section of the Hatton Wanaraja Estate.
Minister of Wildlife Mahinda Amaraweera has instructed the Secretary to the Ministry to conduct a probe in this regard.
Following the directive, a team headed by an Additional Secretary has left for Hatton to investigate the incident.
NewsRadio area correspondent said the leopard which was caught in a trap laid by poachers had broken the noose and climbed onto a nearby tree only to be trapped in a fork.
Wildlife officers had then attempted to save the leopard which had been trapped in the fork by felling the tree.
However, wildlife officers have failed to rescue the animal.
Meanwhile, certain reports had claimed that the leopard had died due to injuries sustained after falling off the tree.
The Wildlife Minister has instructed to take action against the relevant officers, if they were responsible for the death of the animal.
