Poachers kill porcupine in Buddhangala sanctuary

Two poachers in Buddhangala sanctuary in Ampara who had killed a porcupine were arrested and the locally made muzzle loader gun used by them seized by Wildlife Conservators.

The suspects had used gun powder found in elephant crackers issued by the Wildlife Conservation Department to the villagers to scare away the wild elephant.

Range Wildlife Conservator M.D.P. Sanjeewa said poachers were killing wild animals going in search of water due to the prevailing drought in the area. He said the wildlife officials patrolling the sanctuary had heard the booming of the gun and rushed to the scene and arrested the suspects.

The official said two knives, a stock of elephant crackers, and a searchlight were among other articles seized during the raid. The suspects were to be produced before Ampara Magistrate yesterday.

Range Wildlife Asst. M. Karunaratne. Field Asst. S.A. Ajitha Samantha, J. G. Tharindu, and Civil Security Personnel R.B. Ananda, and R.M.S.G. Ratnayake carried out the raid.