Stray cattle rounded up with laser gun

The problem of stray cattle roaming in the Diyatalawa Army Camp premises is being overcome with the assistance of the Veterinary Science Faculty of Peradeniya. The camp had been having around 300 to 400 cattle roaming its grounds and destroying plants and fences in the premises.

A number of requests had been made by the Camp Commanders to various authorities but without success. Finally Brigadier N.J.Welgama had contacted the Presidential Secretariat for help. The Presidential Secretariat had then contacted the National Livestock Development Board (NLDB) which in turn had contacted the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine for its assistance.

Veterinarians who launched ‘Operation Cattle’ around the camp have found that this variety of semi-wild cattle who wander into the camp have special genes and were resistant to disease. According to Dr. Basil Alexander of the Faculty this aspect needs further investigation.

Dr. Alexander who took up the challenge using the latest laser gun has now captured around 70 head of cattle and handed them over to the NLDB. Dr.Alexander said these cattle who had withstood the climatic conditions and were resistant to disease need genetic upgrading.

The captured cattle were transported under the ‘Kiri Aruna’ programme with the assistance of Dr. C. Pathirage of the NLDB.