After a series of alleged leopard poaching incidents in Sri Lanka, conservationists warn that the big cats are likely being deliberately targeted for their skin, teeth, claws and meat at a higher rate than previously believed, reports contributor Malaka Rodrigo for Mongabay. “Sri Lanka may not be part of an international trafficking chain for leopard bone or skin like some parts of India or Africa, but the possibility of small-scale trade or even ritual use of leopard parts cannot be ruled out,” Sethil Muhandiram, a conservation activist from the leopard conservation nonprofit LEOPOCON, told Mongabay. The Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) is considered endangered as per its IUCN assessment in 2008, with fewer than 1,000 mature wild individuals remaining. Muhandiram said it’s commonly believed that leopards in Sri Lanka aren’t typically targeted by hunters, but get caught in traps meant for other wildlife or are killed in retaliation for preying on livestock. Deliberate targeting hasn’t been a big concern, he said. However, the recent arrest of suspected poachers with a skinned leopard carcass inside Maduru Oya National Park in early August suggests more targeted hunting, he added. “There is no reason for poachers to skin and carry an entire carcass unless they see value in it. This incident points to some other intent, either to extract meat, sell the pelt, or harvest body parts.” Leopard expert Rukshan Jayewardene told Mongabay that some leopard carcasses found caught in snares were missing specific body parts like front legs and shoulder muscles,…This article was originally published on Mongabay

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