Three suspects linked to the killing of a leopard in the Udawalawe National Park were arrested by Police on Sunday.
They were to be produced before the Embilipitiya Magistrate’s Court today.
The Wildlife Department officials said the suspects have been identified as hunters residing in Nelumwewa, Udawalawa.
A young male leopard was found killed, with its teeth plugged out and front paws cut off on December 31 night at the Mau Ara Tank near the Udawalawe National Park. The Wildlife officers found the carcass at the edge of the tank. The postmortem examination was carried out by Veterinarian Dr. Malaka Abeywardena on Friday.
The Special Task Force with the assistance of the Wildlife Conservation Department conducted search operations to track down the culprits after the carcass was found.