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WWCT conducts awareness campaign on leopard attacks in Peradeniya
View(s):An awareness campaign is underway in the area around University of Peradeniya regarding the threat posed by leopards in the area and the safety measures that can be taken.
Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust is carrying out the programme, co-founder and Lead Researcher of the NGO Dr Andrew Kittle said.
A leopard had taken a calf that belonged to the University of Peradeniya veterinary unit, and according to Dr Kittle, the incident had caused a lot of misinformation to be disseminated in social media.
Teams of people from the NGO had spread awareness material in the tea estates around Maskeliya, Hatton and Bogawantalawa, and there are plans to conduct an awareness campaign in the university for the Veterinary and Science Faculty, together with the Environmental Club.
Dr Kittle also highlighted that aside from student groups, the awareness campaign would also provide information to lecturers. The programme would also have on-site team development with informal meetings with managers.
He added that the awareness campaign would provide the right information regarding leopards in that they usually avoid people and hunt at night.
To avoid such incidents, Dr Kittle said it would be advisable to have a prey base. It was also advised that stronger fencing should be created around veterinary herding areas and that the cattle should be transferred to places where security can monitor.
In tea estates, those affected by leopards are those who pluck tea and those who collect firewood. Yet the biggest concern amongst the community was the possibility of their dogs being attacked.
Dr Kittle explained that while such incidents can happen, the awareness campaign tried to put it into context.
He also said that in terms of funding for the fences, his NGO can approach different sources so that funds can be provided for smaller enclosures.
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