The discovery was made after estate workers noticed the dead leopard cub lying by the roadside in the Annan Estate area along the main road and promptly alerted the police. Following the tip-off, a team of officers from the Hatton Police station visited the location, recovered the carcass of the hill country leopard cub, and subsequently handed it over to the officials of the Nallathanniya Wildlife Office.
When inquired about the incident, an official from the Nallathanniya Wildlife Office stated that they suspect the leopard cub, which had been roaming the tea estate, was hit and killed by a speeding vehicle while attempting to cross the main road in search of prey.
The wildlife official further noted that the carcass of the leopard cub will be presented to the Hatton Magistrate to obtain the necessary legal orders for a post-mortem examination. Following the court order, the body is scheduled to be forwarded to the Randenigala Veterinary Hospital for the autopsy.
