Courtesy Hiru News<\/p>\n\n\n
Hatton District Judge and Magistrate J. Trotsky, today ordered a post mortem examination of the black panther who died while undergoing treatment at the Udawalawa Veterinary Hospital to be conducted in the Peradeniya Veterinary faculty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This was after considering a request made by Prabash Karunathilaka of the Wildlife Conservation Department of the Nallathanniya Wildlife Office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The black panther was found caught in a snare at a vegetable farm on Laxapana-Walamalai estate on the 26th and was taken to the Udawalawe Veterinary Hospital after being initially treated by wildlife officials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Udawalawe Veterinary Surgeon Malaka Abeywardena said that this rare black panther died while receiving treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He stated that the animal may have died due to complications from the wounds around the neck area of the leopard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, Prabash Karunathilaka of the Wildlife Department of the Nallathanniya Wildlife Office stated that the dead leopard was not seriously injured. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also stated that he has expressed his reluctance to take the black leopard to the Udawalawa Veterinary Hospital. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said that it was because he thought that moving the animal to a different climatic environment could have an impact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He further stated that he has requested the court to carry out the post mortem examination of the Black Panther.<\/p>\n\n\n\n