The first Leopard death for the year 2023 reported from in Nuwara Eliya area tweeted LEOPOCON Sri Lanka, a nonprofit organization devoted exclusively for the conservation of Sri Lankan leopards and their ecosystems.
” 1st Leopard Death for the year reported from Nuwara Eliya today. Cause of death was a snare and upon received information Department of wildlife conservation officials recovered the body”
LEOPOCON Sri Lanka says that Sri Lanka lost 13 leopards in year 2022. According to the LEOPOCON Sri Lanka, out of the 13 deaths reported, most deaths have been reported after being trapped in snares. Total 9 leopard deaths reported in 2021.
Over the past 10 years, about 50 leopards caught in snares have died. Sri Lankan Leopards are under threat as forests cleared to plant crops and build homes. 70% of the animals’ habitat has been destroyed, only 750 to 1,000 adult leopards remains, according to CNN report. (LankaXpress.com)