17 December 2024 08:15 am Views - 44
By Ranjith Rajapakse
Upcountry leopards frequenting Shanon Estate in Watawala and its environs have posed a serious threat to the lives of the workers and the residents of the area.
Estate Superintendent Arjuna Medawala said several leopards have been frequenting the estate endangering the lives of the workers. He said about ten pet dogs in houses had fallen prey to the leopards.
The Estate Superintendent said particularly the workers in the factory on night shift were risking their lives on their way to the factory and back after work. He said a huge leopard was fast asleep at the doorstep of his bungalow on Sunday night (15) and that it would have preyed on his dog if not seen. He further said a leopard had recently fallen into a well and drowned. He pointed out that the leopards were facing the danger of being caught in traps laid by the workers.
Estate Superintendent Medawala requested the Wildlife Conservation officers to drive away the leopards from the area to save the lives of the people and the leopards as well.