– A total of 45 wild animals that recovered after receiving treatment at the Attidiya Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre have been released into suitable natural habitats, the Department of Wildlife Conservation said.The release was carried out on October 14 under the leadership of Wildlife Veterinarian Pramuditha Devasurendra, Officer-in-Charge of the Wildlife Holding Centre.The animals released included six spotted deer, 13 grey langurs, one pangolin, one fishing cat, 11 snakes, eight star tortoises and six toque macaques.The Attidiya centre provides veterinary care for displaced, injured and sick wild animals brought in from the Western Wildlife Region.

Wildlife officials said many animals brought to the centre had only minor injuries and warned that removing them from their natural habitats unnecessarily could lead to further complications.Young animals, in particular, could face stress following separation from their mothers, attacks by other animals when released into unfamiliar environments and threats to their survival due to environmental changes.

Officials urged the public not to remove wild animals from their natural habitats if they were uninjured or had sustained only minor injuries, stressing the importance of allowing them to remain in their natural environment whenever possible.