Safe net set up to protect Mountain Tigers from traps

The Wildlife Department tested a new protective net on December 23 at the Nuwara Eliya Galway’s Land National Park to protect tigers in mountains from traps.

The trial of this safety net took place with the participation of Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Minister Mahinda Amaraweera.

The main reason why it is not possible to save the lives of the tigers in the hills that are caught in the traps set by hunters is that the animals caught in the traps are violent and attack Wildlife Officers.

Therefore, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has instructed the Wildlife officials to try a new safety programme to save the lives of tigers in the mountains.

During this year, about six tigers in the mountains had died being caught in the traps set by people. Wildlife Officials saved five others.

Between 2001 and 2021, 145 tigers had been killed in Sri Lanka, of which 72 per cent was reported from the Central hills. 17 tigers had been killed from 2020 to 2021. Reportedly, the number of tigers in Sri Lanka is about 600. 71 per cent of tiger deaths so far had occurred when tigers being caught in traps set by humans.

The Minister advised to implement programmes to educate the public and officials to protect the tigers and elks in the mountains, which have become the tourist attractions of the central hills. The Minister also mentioned that there is a possibility that this animal will be eliminated from the central mountains due to the fear of the people regarding mountain tigers and their constant attempts to kill them.

The officials said that it is economically effective to protect these tigers and that the mountain tiger should be considered as a predator of animals that damage crops. Therefore, it was discussed that steps should be taken to treat mountain tigers as a national resource, especially in relation to informing the public to prevent the setting of traps and hunting other animals in the mountains.

Many Officials including Ministry Secretaries Gunadasa Samarasinghe and Chandra Herath were present.