According to the Mount Lavinia Police, a complaint has been received that four black monkey juveniles endemic to Sri Lanka, which were receiving treatment at the Bellanwila Attidiya Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, were stolen. The black monkey, a sub-species of the monkey, which is found only in Colombo, Kalutara and Gampaha districts in the Western Province of Sri Lanka, which is included in the first 25 animal species in the Red Data Book under threat of extinction in the world, is a protected animal under the Wildlife and Vegetation Protection Ordinance No. 49 of 1993.
Accordingly, the Black Monkeys are strictly forbidden to be kept or raised as pets in houses. The theft was captured on security cameras installed at the animal rehabilitation centre and Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying the people in the photos.
None of the suspects have been arrested so far. Information can be given to the Wildlife Hotline 1992 or the Rehabilitation Centre on 0113604147.
D.P. Herath