A leopard has succumbed to its demise in the Maskeliya area, marking another grim addition to the growing number of leopard fatalities in Sri Lanka. The cause of death has been identified as a snare, leaving authorities concerned about the escalating threat to the country’s leopard population.
The deceased leopard, measuring approximately 6 feet in length, was discovered ensnared, prompting swift action from the Department of Wildlife Conservation officials and Maskeliya police.
LEOPOCON Sri Lanka, an organization dedicated to the conservation of leopards, reports a staggering 13 leopard deaths in the year 2022 alone. Most of these fatalities have been attributed to snares, indicating a disturbing trend that demands urgent attention and concerted efforts to address the issue.
The grim statistics reveal a concerning pattern, with a total of 9 leopard deaths reported in 2021 and an alarming tally of 50 leopard fatalities over the past decade, all linked to snares. The widespread use of these traps poses a severe threat to the already vulnerable leopard population, pushing them closer to the brink of extinction.
The root causes of this crisis lie in the rampant deforestation driven by agricultural expansion and urban development. As forests are cleared to make way for crops and homes, the leopards lose crucial habitats, with a staggering 70% of their natural environment now destroyed, according to a CNN report.
The urgency to address this issue cannot be overstated, as only 750 to 1,000 adult leopards are estimated to remain in Sri Lanka. Conservationists and authorities are under increasing pressure to implement and enforce stringent measures to protect the remaining leopard population and their habitats. (LankaXpress.com)
