Police rescue turtles meant for Chinese restaurants

Twelve small turtles (Terrapin) who had been caught from the Wanniyakulama tank in Aadigama were handed over to officers from the Puttalam office of the Wildlife Conservation Department yesterday (7). The turtles will be released to the Wilpattuwa Wildlife Park. 

The turtles, eight black turtles and four flapshell turtles, were handed over following an order from the Anamaduwa Magistrate. 

The Wanniyakulama tank is currently drying up and the turtles had been caught by two individuals from the tank. Police had arrested the two suspects and taken the turtles into their custody on Tuesday (6). They have been identified as residents of Mirissankotuwa, Wennappuwa. 

The suspects were imposed a fine of Rs.40, 000 each by the Magistrate. 

They had confessed to police that they caught the turtles to sell to Chinese restaurants in the Wennappuwa area.    

Text and Pix by Jayaratne Wickramaarachchi in Karuwalagaswewa 

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