By Ifham Nizam ✍️

A leopard seriously injured after being caught in a wire snare at Stoneycliff Estate, in Kotagala, has been rescued in a painstaking overnight operation and is responding well to treatment at the Randenigala Wildlife Office, wildlife sources said yesterday.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premada said on X that the the animal, believed to have struggled for hours after being trapped, was safely rescued through the coordinated efforts of officers of the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), veterinary surgeons and field staff, despite the challenges posed by the ongoing industrial action affecting the Department.

Veterinary surgeons Dr. Ganga and Dr. Nihal led the delicate rescue and medical intervention, stabilising the leopard before it was transported for further treatment. Wildlife officer Akalanka personally visited the site with his team and coordinated the field operation, ensuring the animal was safely freed from the snare.

Wildlife officials said the leopard’s condition has improved and it is under close observation while receiving further veterinary care. They expressed cautious optimism about its recovery.

The rescue operation also received invaluable support from Harsha Maduranga, Sashika and other officers of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, whose determination and teamwork were instrumental in saving the animal.

Conservationists noted that the successful rescue once again highlights the dedication of the Department’s wildlife veterinarians and field officers, who continue to respond to wildlife emergencies under extremely difficult conditions. They stressed that the commitment and professionalism shown by the veterinary teams deserve greater recognition and support, particularly given the risks and demanding nature of their work.

The incident has also renewed calls for stronger action against the illegal use of wire snares, which continue to claim the lives of leopards, elephants, deer and numerous other wild animals across the country.

Wildlife experts have repeatedly warned that indiscriminate snaring remains one of the gravest threats to Sri Lanka’s already vulnerable leopard population.

Meanwhile, Nuwan and Bandara were acknowledged for promptly conveying information about the trapped leopard, enabling the rescue team to respond without delay. Their timely alert is believed to have significantly increased the animal’s chances of survival.

Wildlife officials appealed to the public to immediately report any incidents involving trapped or injured wild animals to the Department of Wildlife Conservation so that emergency rescue teams can be deployed without delay.