Wildlife officers removed a large number of illegal animal traps from three Grama Niladhari divisions in the Galgamuwa Divisional Secretariat Division in Kurunegala on 6 and 7 October.
Nearly 60 officers from the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Civil Security Department and the Special Task Force took part in the two-day operation, which was run under the Kurunegala Assistant Director of Wildlife Conservation.
They removed traps and “hakka patas”, explosive devices used to injure or kill animals, which had been placed around tank beds and scrubland. The devices and firearms pose a threat to wild elephants and other wildlife.
In parallel raids, several suspects were arrested in connection with possessing illegal firearms, hakka patas, traps, game meat and animal parts.
The Department of Wildlife Conservation said it plans similar operations in other areas frequented by wild elephants.