By Dayaratne Embogama  

A group of five individuals who had shot dead a wild elephant calf that roamed into a cultivated land at Nekettegama in Galnewa and buried the carcass in a secret location were arrested yesterday by wildlife conservators.  

The suspects were between 42 and 50 years of age and residents of the area.  

Megalewa Range Forest Conservator I. M. G. Seneviratne said the 42 year old owner of the land had shot dead the calf with his 12 bore shot gun and buried the carcass with the help of the other four men. He said the calf was about five years old.   

The suspects were to be produced in court.