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.

To read the full story visit https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2025/08/suspected-rise-in-targeted-leopard-killings-worries-conservationists-in-sri-lanka/

Photo credit: Udayan Dasgupta/Mongabay