Two suspects were arrested after wildlife officers seized a range of protected animal parts, including a 32kg coral colony and a tiger tooth, during coordinated raids in Kiribathgoda and Ragama. The raids were carried out on July 3 following intelligence received by the Ritigala…
Two suspects were arrested after wildlife officers seized a range of protected animal parts, including a 32kg coral colony and a tiger tooth, during coordinated raids in Kiribathgoda and Ragama. The raids were carried out on July 3 following intelligence received by the Ritigala Information and Research Centre from the Sri Lanka Air Force. Among the items seized were a 32kg coral colony, a Sri Lankan horned helmet shell (Catadontus marianus), a spider conch (Lambis lambis), a tiger tooth, and part of a marine animal. The suspects, aged 20 and 26, were released on wildlife bail of Rs. 100,000 each and are due to be produced before the Mahara and Welisara Magistrate’s Courts on a later date. The Department of Wildlife Conservation said the collection, possession, transport, or trade of coral and other protected wildlife parts is prohibited under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance and carries severe legal penalties. (Newswire)