The Department of Wildlife Conservation has launched an inquiry after a video circulating on social media showed an encounter between a dog and a leopard inside Wilpattu National Park. The footage, captured by a visitor, has raised concerns over whether dogs are being used to attract leopards for tourists.
Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody stated that bringing non-wild animals into the park in vehicles is illegal and that officials conduct checks at park entrances to enforce this rule.
He also noted that stray dogs migrating from nearby villages into national parks is a known issue, and wildlife officials are taking steps to address it. However, he confirmed that authorities would investigate whether dogs are being deliberately brought into the park to lure leopards.
The Wildlife Department has initiated a formal inquiry into the incident. (NewsWire)Â
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