Slovakians caught smuggling fauna and flora probed

The Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) is investigating whether a group of five Slovakian nationals who were arrested with a large number of indigenous insects, butterflies and plant parts from the Sinharaja Rainforest are actually scientists who were illegally collecting samples for testing purposes.

Wildlife Ranger of the DWC’s Kalawana Sector, Lakshman Rathnaweera, said the suspects were attempting to conceal their professions, but investigations conducted thus far raises suspicions that they may be a group of zoologists and botanists.

The manner in which the animals and plants taken by the group had been stored, and the equipment and chemicals that were found in their possession indicate that the suspects are professionals, the DWC stated.

The suspects were ordered to be remanded till February 13 after being produced before Kalawana Magistrate Dulan Weerawardena.

Only one of the suspects spoke English while the others claim they do not understand the language. As such, a report has been called from the Immigration and Emigration Controller General to obtain more details about them.

The magistrate refused bail for the suspects after considering a request made by the DWC, who pointed out that the suspects had overstayed their visas and that they had not been positively identified as yet.

It was further revealed that the group had about Rs.2.5 million in cash at the time of their arrest. Wildlife officers took the suspects into custody from a rest house in Kudawa village in Veddagala, Kalawana after searching their luggage and finding the animals and plants concealed in them.

Officers had found indigenous butterflies, caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles, ants and scorpions among the suspects’ luggage, as well as indigenous plants such as various species of orchid, the DWC stated.

When purchasing tickets to enter the rainforest, the group had stated they did not require the services of a local guide, causing officers to become suspicious about their activites.

Reports have been called from the Department of National Zoological Gardens in Dehiwala, the Department of National Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, the Department of National Museums and the Government Analyst on items that were found in the suspects’ possession.

The DWC said a court order had been obtained to release all living animals in the suspects’ possession after obtaining photographs. The parts of one as yet unidentified dead animal are to be sent to the National Zoological Gardens for identification.