News
Making a killing with poisoned food
View(s):The ongoing drought conditions affecting many parts of the country is taking a deadly toll of animals and inland fish.
Story and pix by Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa and Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi.
Unfortunately actions of unscrupulous persons attempting to make a fast buck via this sad situation are posing much danger to both man and beast.
Wildlife officials from drought-stricken areas reported hunters had taken to poisoning natural waterholes where animals and birds regularly quench their thirst at Suriyawewa, Weliwewa and in 14 tanks found in Hambantota. This has already led to the death of a deer and seven goats in the vicinity of the waterholes.
What is worse is the flesh is being sold to villagers, despite the health risks involved.
Last week at the Kalawewa tank in Anuradhapura a haul of dead fish was discovered. The reason behind their death still remains a mystery and a foul odour prevailed in the area as a result of the putrefying fish.
However villagers are reportedly collecting the dead fish floating on the surface, for consumption. The product is also sold in the open market, despite the health risks.
An unscrupulous man cuts up a dead fish which will soon be put on sale
Unscrupulous traders may land this large dead fish which was washed ashore in your cooking pot or mine
Beware, hunters have taken to poisoning animals whose flesh they later sell to unsuspecting buyers
A crow attacking a tasty morsel