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Tragedy struck Wilpattu National Park this week as 11 bottlenose dolphins were discovered dead within the marine boundary of the park, in the Kollan Kanatha area on Tuesday.
The grim discovery was first reported to the Mullikulam Wildlife Conservation Office, prompting officials from the Wildlife Department to visit the site for inspection. Upon arrival, they observed the lifeless bodies of the dolphins washed ashore.
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Following the recovery of the carcasses, the matter was submitted to the Puttalam Magistrate's Court the same day. Officials from the Anuradhapura Wildlife Veterinary Office conducted post-mortem examinations to determine the cause of death.
Preliminary findings suggest that the dolphins may have died due to entanglement in a fishing net. To confirm this suspicion, samples from the deceased animals have been sent to the Veterinary Faculty at Peradeniya for further analysis.
The deaths of these dolphins highlight ongoing concerns about marine wildlife protection and the risks posed by human activities, such as fishing.
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