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Wildlife officers discover exotic species at businessman’s house
A rare albino soft-shell turtle and green iguana were among several exotic species discovered when Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) officers raided a business premises in Mount Lavinia.
The albino turtle was among the exotic species
The team of DWC officers led by Bellanwila Wildlife Range Officer Saman Liyanagama raided the location following a tip-off. Aside from the live turtle and iguana, the officers also found specimens of other exotic species, as well as parts of various animals and birds.
Among the items discovered were sambur horns, birds’ nests, boxes containing various types of dead insects, a tree coral, whale bones and a conch shell.
All reptiles, including turtles, are protected by Sri Lanka’s Fauna and Flora Ordinance, and no person can capture, keep or sell such animals without a valid permit. Permission is required from a number of different agencies to import a foreign reptile like a green iguana into the country, DWC officials pointed out.
The suspect businessman was produced before Mount Lavinia Acting Magistrate Rathna Gamage, who released the suspect on two personal bails of Rs 1 million each. The court ordered the DWC to produce the specimens to the Director, Department of National Museums, for identification, and to initiate further action accordingly.