Leopard attack on tea planter

Colombo : Sri Lanka | Jun 23, 2011 at 7:37 PM PDT

By Senaratne

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Sri Lankan Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya)

Colombo, June 24, 2011

A leopard attacked a tea planter in the late night around 10. 00pm in the upcountry Agrapathana tea plantation in Sri Lanka recently.

Expanding farmlands and domestic animals attract more and more leopards towards human habitat in the small island of only 25,332 sq mi (65,610 sq km).

The department of wildlife records indicate that 5 leopards have been killed within the few of months in the current year.

‘Our investigations revealed that there are many animals close to human habitats at night resulting in more and more attacks on humans', a leading researcher and taxonomist said.

The leopard subspecies native to the country Panthera pardus kotiya has been classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The animal population is believed to be declining due to poaching for trading of its skin and human-leopard conflict.

A wildlife department spokesman said that a huge six-foot beast was killed recently in the Giritale National Park where hunting of any animal is totally prohibited.

The country does not possess proper records of the illegal skin trade.

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Sri Lanka Leopard
From: cml.1674

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Post a Comment Comments: 29

Posted By

vauldine | almost 2 years ago

This is the fight of the century! Rated up!

Reply By

Senaratne | almost 2 years ago

Thanks, Vauldine.
By the way, the beast called Tiger is not found in my country.

Posted By

Shaziakhan | almost 2 years ago

Good working thanks for give me new update. . .if you like my
news then please comment on it. rated up

Reply By

Senaratne | almost 2 years ago

Thanks, Shazia.
You are welcome.

Posted By

Mohammad Shabbir Murtaza | almost 2 years ago

Thanks for the info. rated up.

Reply By

Senaratne | almost 2 years ago

Thanks, Mohammad, and you are welcome.

Posted By

mikefreeman | almost 2 years ago

These beauiful creatures should be protected by law and records of skin trade kept. All kiilings of leopards should be investigated to see if their is an ulterior motive-skin trading. rated up

Reply By

Senaratne | almost 2 years ago

Yes, Mike, more so because Sri Lanka is a very small country and their population is very much limited. This country is not like India, Malaysia or Africa.

Posted By

skooter | almost 2 years ago

You can't blamed the leopards,they have to look for food, and since humans have destroyed or groveled into their habitat, the animals have no choice but to invade human territory. Kill the poachers instead, not the animals. Thanks, a good information for conservationist like me. Well done, mate.

Reply By

Senaratne | almost 2 years ago

I am myself a conservationist and nature lover, Skoot.
So I share your view that poachers must be sternly dealt with. Perhaps, the laws are not strict enough.

Posted By

dhreff | almost 2 years ago

Sen, there is a need for government to protect such animals as well as institute measures to protect people from being attack by same animals. Rate you up.

Reply By

Senaratne | almost 2 years ago

I agree with you fully and and share your view, Dreff.
But expanding human population while land area remaining static is indeed a serious problem.

Posted By

Adebanjos | almost 2 years ago

Nice and well written report, good job. rated up!

Reply By

Senaratne | almost 2 years ago

Your comments are appreciated, Adeban.

Posted By

shahid25 | almost 2 years ago

very good reporting good formative keep it up .

Reply By

Senaratne | almost 2 years ago

Thanks, Shahid.
You are welcome.

Posted By

Vicky247 | almost 2 years ago

Was that tree planter dead? Any way rates up for the news.

Reply By

Senaratne | almost 2 years ago

It is not a tree planter but a TEA planter, Vicky.
No, the planter miraculously escaped death.
And, thank you for your visit here.

Reply By

Vicky247 | almost 2 years ago

Thanks for the correction.

Posted By

Brigid Jean Primrose | almost 2 years ago

It is awful to think that these beautiful animals have to be killed, is there not a way they can be captured and moved to another location.
rated up.

Reply By

Senaratne | almost 2 years ago

Beautiful animals. Absolutely, Brigid.
Its picture adorned my P. C. monitor until recently.

And yes, the authorities must find a way to capture and move them to another location.

Posted By

SofiaAmbrosia | almost 2 years ago

they're such lovely creatures but they are wild and we are the intruder!

Reply By

Senaratne | almost 2 years ago

Oh yes, Amber.
Man is an intruder, disturbing not only leopard but many other peace-loving forest dwellers!

Posted By

dunite | almost 2 years ago

i guess you're right in saying leopards maybe nearing extinction due to unstoppable poaching and illicit skin trade thanks Senaratne ^^^!

Reply By

Senaratne | almost 2 years ago

Sure, Dunite.
But unstoppable poaching must be stopped some way or other, in my view.

Posted By

Surya Gaire | almost 2 years ago

Excellent report attitude!Keep it up!!

Reply By

Senaratne | almost 2 years ago

Thanks Surya.
Your are welcome.

Images

Sri Lanka Leopard

Sri Lanka Leopard

Image Source: farm4.static.flickr...

Sri Lanka Leopard
Sri Lankan Leopard (Panthera ...

Sri Lankan Leopard (Panthera ...

Image Source: farm4.static.flickr...

Sri Lankan Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya)
Sri Lanka Leopard Cub

Sri Lanka Leopard Cub

Image Source: farm4.static.flickr...

Sri Lanka Leopard Cub