Leopard’s death probe: Anaesthetist was in fuel queue
Wildlife officials have told a team of investigators looking into the death of a mountain leopard caught in the trap of a hunter recently that in the efforts to save the animal which was trapped on a tree that it could not be anaesthetised because the relevant anaesthetist was in a ‘fuel queue’ to get fuel at that time. Also, the officials have informed the investigation team that they do not have the necessary equipment to act immediately in such a situation. An investigation was carried out by the Wildlife Ministry into the death of the mountain leopard.
Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Minister Mahinda Amaraweera instructed the Secretary of the Ministry to conduct an immediate investigation into the death of the mountain leopard that died in a tea garden at Summerhill Estate in Hatton. This mountain leopard, who was caught in a hunter’s snare, had climbed a nearby Eucalyptus tree. The animal had got entangled in the snare thus suffocating it.