Majestic tusker killed in turf war
The iconic, oldest tusker in the Yala National Park, Thilak, was killed in a tussle with another elephant named Kabila (Thani Dalaya) in Sithulpawwa last Wednesday.
Pic by Samantha Hettiarachchi
As the largest tusker among some 120 tuskers in Sri Lanka, the 60-year-old Thilak was the centre of attraction for tourists who visited Yala. His massive tusks curved inwards in a cross making him well known.
Veterinary physician Dr. Ananda Dharmakeerthi said that heavy injuries to the abdomen during the attack by the other elephant may have led to Thilak’s death.
ocal environmentalists say it is rare for a 20-year-old elephant to take on a tusker as big and senior as Thilak. Former Deputy Director of the Wildlife Department, Dr. Nandana Attapattu, explained that altercations among elephants emerged when they tried to dominate a particular territory.
Dr. Attapattu said as many as 10 tuskers were killed by poachers and hunters in the past.
Source – The Sunday Times,18/06/2017, See more at – http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170618/news/majestic-tusker-killed-in-turf-war-245799.html
Two arrested for smuggling 2,089 star tortoises from India
Two suspects had been arrested by the Navy, when they attempted to smuggle in 2,089 living star tortoises by a dinghy, in the seas off Kalpitiya yesterday, the Navy said The suspects were smuggling these rare species of tortoises by illegal means from India, the Navy said. They said suspects were arrested a group of Naval personnel attached to the Northwestern Naval Command following on a tip off. The suspects, the star tortoises, the dinghy and other items were brought to the Naval Base by SLNS Vijaya in Kalpitiya and subsequently handed over to the Sinnapadu Customs Office for onward legal action.
Source -Daily Mirror,18/06/2017 – See more at: http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Two-arrested-for-smuggling-star-tortoises-from-India-131098.html#sthash.6PVu9Wng.dpuf
