Large tortoise find at sea could be linked to exotic animal smuggling attempt

The Department of National  Zoological Gardens is  readying enclosures to quarantine two large tortoises that were found stranded 15 kilometers westwards off Pitipana Negombo, today.

The Director General of the Department of National Zoological Garden’s Dr Chandana Rajapaksa told the Times online that  the wildlife authorities informed him that two out of the three  animals that were sighted  have been brought to Aththidiya wildlife re-habitation center.

He added that they have prepared enclosures to quarantine the animals a Ridiyagama Safari park at Hambantota, if court orders them to quarantine and take charge of the animals.   “We are readying enclosures at the moment. Thereafter we plan to bring them to Ridiyagama Safari park at Hambantota if courts orders us to take charge of the animals ”, he said.

Meanwhile The Chief Veterinary Surgeon attached to the Aththidiya Wildlife re-habitation center, Dr Suhada Jayawardena said Negombo Magistrate courts had ordered them to identify the two large tortoises and asses their health conditions.

He added that one of the two tortoises were identified as giant tortoise while the other large tortoise is believed as a different genus of large tortoise.
“The giant tortoise has developed pneumonic condition, while the other tortoise which is in good health condition needs to be identified”, he said. 
 Dr Jayawardena said that they would hold the two animals at their center until the reptiles health conditions are assessed, species identified and facts reported to courts.    
  
Meanwhile Chairman of the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), Samantha Gunasekara explained that he received information that three large tortoises were found stranded in the sea 15 kilometers westwards off the Pitipana Negambo.
According to him two of the tortoises were initially brought to the land by fishermen, and the third tortoise was left stranded in a reef area as it was too big to be boarded into a fishing vessel. 
Mr Gunasekara said that he informed the Department of Wildlife and requested the navy to rescue the remaining reptile which is stranded on a reef.
According to him the animal was not to be seen on the reef when the teams had reached the reef area. MEPA chairman said suspects that the three large tortoises being stranded at sea might be due to a smuggling attempt, as such animals are demanded by illegal exotic pet trade carried out in India, Bangladesh.
He was unsure if the  animals were being  smuggled into Sri Lanka to be then taken to another country, or to be sent to a resident influential animal collector