Wildlife authorities have apprehended two residents of Aranayake on suspicion of illegally hunting and processing a protected deer species using cable snares in the hill country region.

Officers from the Bulathkohupitiya Wildlife Beat Office arrested two suspects, aged 52 and 62, during a patrol operation on Tuesday in the Aranayake area. The men, both residents of the locality, were caught while allegedly butchering a protected deer, according to wildlife officials.

Investigators believe the pair had been engaged in illegal hunting activities for a considerable time, using cable snares to trap animals across the hill country terrain. The suspects are also suspected of involvement in an unlicensed meat trading operation, which has apparently been ongoing for an extended period.

Wildlife officers recovered approximately 10 kilograms of processed deer meat, along with five snares, the animal's hide, and its head from the suspects' possession. These items, combined with the suspects themselves, are scheduled to be presented before the Aranayake Tourist Magistrate's Court on August 18 for further legal proceedings.

The arrests add to ongoing efforts by wildlife authorities to combat poaching and illegal wildlife trade in Sri Lanka's protected forest regions.