Wild dogs sneak into zoo... kill 13 mouse deer

Colombo - 13 mouse deer (Chevrotains), among the smallest deer in the world, died were killed in an attack by a pack of stray dogs that entered the Dehiwala Zoo, according to the employees.

Surgeons who performed the autopsy on the dead animals said that the chevrotains succumbed to the injuries caused by the attacks. These animals are said to be very sensitive.

Due to construction works being carried out in the zoo, the dogs strayed into the gardens, the employees said.

The chevrotains are kept adjacent to the area where the elephant show takes place.

Elephants in temple illegal

A  two-and-a-half year-old elephant calf had been found inside the Alan Mathiniyaramaya Temple in Polhengoda. 

Along with  the calf, another 20-year-old female elephant was also being kept at the temple.

The raid was conducted on the instructions of Deputy Minister Wasantha Senanayake, who had arrived at the spot accompanied by wild life officials and the police after receiving a tip-off that elephant were being kept in the temple premises illegally.

When the minister requested legal documents proving the ownership of the elephants from the chief incumbent of the temple he said he did not have any.

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