• The footage has garnered over 63,000 views, sparking public outrage and prompting an investigation

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama
Wildlife officers are to launch an investigation into a new video showing a foreigner slaughtering, roasting and consuming a peacock inside Maduru-Oya National Park.  

 The recent video, posted by a foreign YouTuber under the name ‘Go With Ali,’ was uploaded on October 19, 2024, and came to light through social media. The footage has garnered over 63,000 views, sparking public outrage and prompting an investigation.  
When inquired, the Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, Chandana Sooriyabandara, told the Daily Mirror that wildlife officers will investigate the video to determine the exact location where the incident had taken place.  
The investigation team will also take necessary legal action against the foreigner, if applicable.  

The video explains that the peacock is Sri Lanka’s national bird, and hunting it is strictly illegal for anyone except the Vedda community, as they are the indigenous people of the country.  
The video’s description reads: “Today, I will be joining Sri Lanka’s Vedda tribe. They will be showing me their traditions and how they forage the land to sustain themselves.”  
Traditional hunting tools, such as bows and arrows, were used to hunt the peacock, which is a protected species.  
The video shows the peacock being roasted and later eaten according to the customs of the indigenous community.  
A similar incident was reported in July this year on a YouTube channel called ‘Best Ever Food Review Show,’ after which wildlife officers took legal action.