Wildlife officials have arrested five visitors at Yala National Park after they allegedly left their safari jeeps inside the park and threatened officers who confronted them, Ada Derana reported on Monday.
The incident was reported from the Sudu Weli Mulla area of the park, where a group travelling in two safari jeeps was found walking outside their vehicles in breach of park rules, the broadcaster said. Wildlife officers also accused the group of threatening them during the encounter. The five suspects are to be produced before the Tissamaharama Magistrate’s Court.
The Joint Association of Yala Safari Jeep Operators said any driver or visitor caught violating regulations inside the park faces arrest, and the relevant safari vehicles are also barred from operating in the park thereafter. The association alleged, however, that proper legal action had not yet been taken against the two jeeps involved in Monday’s incident — claiming the vehicles had neither been produced before court nor subjected to the necessary procedures.
Visitors leaving their vehicles is a long-standing safety and conservation concern at Yala, where the park’s high leopard density attracts large peak-season convoys and disciplinary breaches by jeep operators have repeatedly drawn warnings from the Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Source: Ada Derana — Five visitors arrested for violating wildlife regulations at Yala National Park.
