By Chaturanga Samarawickrama

A leopard which had been found trapped in a snare at an Estate in Agarapathana died on Wednesday (31) while being treated at the Randenigala Veterinary Hospital, Wildlife officials said.   

Wildlife Conservation Director (Health) Dr. Tharaka Prasad said the leopard had died due to severe injuries to its abdomen caused by the snare. “The 8-foot long male leopard was about 10-years-old, it had been caught in a trap at Menikpalama Forest Reserve in Agarapathana and it was found fallen near the Bopaththalawa Cattle Farm,” Dr. Prasad said.   He said the wildlife officials had rescued the animal after injecting tranquilizers and had taken it to the Randenigala Veterinary Hospital for treatment. However, the leopard had died while receiving treatment, he said.   

After the incident, the Nuwara Eliya Wildlife officials and employees of the Bopaththalawa Cattle Farm made efforts to remove a large number of traps made by the poachers in the area where the dead leopard was found.