From tusks to teeth : Authorities uncover illegal wildlife collection

Three suspects have been arrested in Borella and Panadura for illegally keeping and attempting to sell wildlife parts and jewelry made from them, according to wildlife officers and the Police Special Task Force Intelligence Unit. The raid led to the seizure of a significant haul, including eight cups made of elephant tusks, an elephant pearl necklace, bracelet and casket, a two‑foot fake tusk, two bracelets suspected to be made of elephant pearls, five leopard teeth, two leopard skins, three sea shells, two spotted conch shells, a deer antler, and two pieces of black coral. Wildlife officials said the suspects and case productions will be produced before the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court and the Panadura Magistrate’s Court. The operation was carried out jointly by officers of the Kurunegala Wildlife Assistant Director’s Office, Bulathkohupitiya Wildlife Office, Attidiya Wildlife Office, and the Rajagiriya Police Intelligence Unit, based on intelligence provided by the Sri Lanka Air Force. (Newswire)