News

Kilinochchi leopard caught in snare rescued by wildlife officers

Snares are the worst death traps for Sri Lankan leopards and their latest would-have-been victim is from Kilinochchi. This leopard was lucky to survive due to the timely and brave action by the wildlife officers of Vavuniya. As soon they received the message, the officers had rushed to the site in Kilinochchi.

They found the leopard in an exhausted state after trying to free itself from the snare. Usually when a leopard gets caught in a snare, the wire tightens around its crotch area damaging the vital internal organs such as the kidneys.

A leopard has to be usually sedated before anyone can get close to it, however, the wildlife veterinarian of the region was engaged in another duty, so there was nobody to tranquilize this trapped leopard.

However the officials realizing that there was no time to be wasted and since the animal appeared to be exhausted they thought of a new tactic to get close enough to it to cut the wire of the snare.

They secured themselves inside a steel cage and got close to the leopard. Holding the exhausted leopard to the ground by using a few sticks, they succeeded in cutting the wire by using a long handled tool. The leopard slowly made its way back to the jungle and although it was exhausted, the officers believed it would survive.

It is believed that a local cattle breeder has setup the snare to trap a leopard which had killed several of his cattle.

Come, say hello to three pygmy hippos at the zoo

Dehiwala zoo last week celebrated the recent births of three pygmy hippos. To make the occasion a special one the zoo gave visitors an opportunity to choose three names for the new arrivals. The eldest born five months ago was named ‘Hapani’ while the second born in February was named ‘Hiyara’ and the youngest born last month was named ‘Sameena’.

Pygmy Hippopotamus inhabit a small area in West Africa and are categorized as endangered by the IUCN conservation criteria. Hence, many zoos around the world conduct breeding.

While warning not to harass the little ones by throwing food at them each time the pygmy hippos open their mouths, zoo officials have asked visitors to come and say hello to these three new arrivals.

The Dehiwala Zoo has also got down a baby elephant from Pinnawala, that was hit by a train. The little elephant was lucky, but not so its mother and another she elephant and her calf which were killed on the spot.

Top to the page  |  E-mail  |  views[1]
SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend
 
Other News Articles
Govt. will respond to Ban’s report
UN Panel report: Ratnasiri pulls out of talks with TNA
Dual citizenship of 35,000 people under review
Ban Ki-moon mega star at UPFA May Day show
Aid to north: Basil briefs top envoys
Envoy says Russia will protect Lanka at UN
CPC devises fuel price formula for CEB
Dual track diplo-lunacy
India awaits list of beneficiaries to start 1,000-houses pilot project: Indian HC
Public areas, buildings must be disabled - friendly, accessible: SC
LA Bills set to be passed in parliament
World Press Freedom Day: UN calls on Govts. to promote freedom of expression
Lanka to host conference on Buddhist-Islamic peace dialogue
Govt. stalls TNA request for power-sharing
UNSG report prejudiced, says OPA
Withdraw new Pension scheme Bill- TUs
New university admission requirements a must, says Education Ministry Sec.
Kovil Trustees charged in private plaint
Road terror: Police say they want your support
Lightning kills 21 in two months
Anti-UN protests expected to dominate May Day agendas
Leopard succumbs to gunshot wound
Proud that Lanka successfully enforced ILO conventions- MR
Online visas for visitors to Lanka
Two years after sea lashing... and still in tents
Moscow may veto UN resolution against Sri Lanka: Russian Envoy
From Russia, seeking enlightenment
Handicapped baby jumbo left bleeding and abandoned in paddy field
Park wardens switched around
Diplomacy, a must for a win-win battle
Looking back on a long journey
“Fatigue and Drowsy Driving”: An experts’ report
Kilinochchi leopard caught in snare rescued by wildlife officers

 

 
Reproduction of articles permitted when used without any alterations to contents and a link to the source page.
© Copyright 1996 - 2011 | Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka. All Rights Reserved | Site best viewed in IE ver 8.0 @ 1024 x 768 resolution