The Department of Wildlife in order to protect mountain leopards from traps set by hunters, has tested a new protective net yesterday (23) at the Galvester Estate in Nuwara-Eliya.
The trial was carried out under the patronage of Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Mahinda Amaraweera.
The Ministry noted that mountain leopards could not be saved in the past from hunter snares as the animals became violent and attacked wildlife officers.
Accordingly, Minister Amaraweera instructed the Wildlife Department to enforce a new safety programme to protect the mountain leopards.
Six mountain leopards have died after being caught in snares while wildlife officers saved five.
The Minister said between 2001 and 2021, 145 leopards have been killed in Sri Lanka, of which 72 percent were reported from the Central Hill.
17 leopards have been killed between 2020 and 2021.
According to reports, the leopard population in Sri Lanka is 600.
71 percent of all leopards deaths thus far have been caused by being trapped in snares.
The Minister issued directives to continue to implement such programme to educate the public and officials to protect mountain leopards and other animals.
