Wildlife officers have arrested five suspects for shooting and killing a pregnant doe in the Kukulkatuwa area of the Wilpattu National Park.
During the raid, officers also seized a firearm and the motorbikes used by the suspects early yesterday (28).
The arrested individuals, aged 31, 40, and 52, are drivers and employees of several private companies residing in Ranorawa, Nochchiyagama, and Anuradhapura. The raid was carried out following information that this group was frequently roaming in the Kukulkatuwa area and engaged in a meat-selling racket by hunting wild animals in the park at night.
The five suspected poachers are scheduled to be produced before court.