Episode 8 – Bundala National Park

Death at Bundala National Park

The incident I am about to tell you happened in 2004, just two years after my recruitment and second placement as Game Guard at Bundala National Park.

 To get familiar withBundala National Park,one must know that it is situated adjoining the Wilma Sanctuaryand is smaller than its peers across the country. Despite its size, it functions as the perfect petri dish of a rich and diverse habitat, allowing the avid onlookeraperfect opportunity to observe both fauna and flora thriving in its natural splendor. An example would be the annual visitation of migratory birds and the most welcome arrival of five species of sea turtle known to grace its bordering shoreline. It is realized soon enough by any wildlife enthusiast who visits Bundala, that those who work here possess an unparalleledfamiliarityof all animal and plant species in the Park’sdomain and a thorough understanding ofthe laws pertaining to their conservation.

Regrettably, the Park’s lusteris not without its downsides. Although poaching is a rare occurrence in Bundala, there are occasions where it has been known to happen, so although it wasunexpected, it did not come as acomplete surprise when we received information of an infamous poacher, known for being aggressive with officers, being in the area. We planned on a raid to apprehend the perpetrator and end his days of poaching once and for all.

So, on a fine humid night, we –Ranger ChamathLakshman, WildlifeGuardsNihalRathnapala and Y.D. Karunarathne, Assistant Wildlife Guard M. Karunarathne and I – started heading back after keepingwatch for several hours beside the Bundala lagoon, when a gunshot pierced the tranquil silence and its echo reverberated throughout the forest. We followed the noise to its source and found ourselves near the bordering Wilma Sanctuary.

The low, familiar rumbling which follows the ignition of a tractor caught our attention in the pitch dark, heavily dense forest. We followed the noise and soon enough, were able to make out two beams of light emanating from what was an advancing tractor, steadily approaching our direction.I could only make out Assistant Wildlife Guard Karunarathneand was unable toidentify the whereabouts of the rest of our small group, but I did see the light illuminate a well-built man, armed with a hunting rifle,making his way toward the driver.

With what precious little time we had left, we did not have the luxury of deciding on a proper strategy. I somehow managed to gesticulate toKarunarathne,that the two of us should circle around to the tractor’s rear, thinking it would be easier to intimidate the poachers if we gave the impression that they were surrounded. Karunarathne and I wereseveral steps along on our way when we were distracted by sudden shouting. The rest of our group – who had been hiding closer to the suspect, had jumped on the armed man, and were attempting to wrestle the hunting rifle away from him. Almost immediately, the ruckus was interrupted by the sound of another gunshot.

I made my way towards the commotion to see the poacher lay sprawled on the ground, blood gushing out of what appeared to behis ear. It was undoubtedlya grave injury.We fumbled around trying to stop the bleeding by applying pressure on the wound.Without wasting much time, we managed to load the incapacitated poacher and his now apprehended accomplice into our vehicle.As everyone seemed to be able to move without difficulty, we felt relieved with the realization that none of us had suffered any serious injuries.

I remember the rest of the group setting out to take the apprehended driver to the Wildlife office while Ranger ChamathLakshman and I took the incapacitatedsuspect to the hospital,a few minutes after being admitted, the hospital notified us that the person had succumbed to his injuries.

After we gave our statements to the Hambantota Police, the Magistrate ordered a formal inquiry to be conducted at the place where the unfortunate incident took place. Through the inquiry, we came to know that the dead suspect was a member of a gang, which had drawn the ire of law enforcement multiple times. For about two days, we were the recipient of unsavory phone calls, no doubt a poor attempt to intimidate us to make up for the gang’s loss and wounded pride.Nevertheless, nothing they said or could have said for that matter, could impede us in doing our duty.

On a happier note, this incident was the precursor to a much more amiable relationship between wildlife officials and law enforcement. Wildlife officers could be sure to receive any information which might require their attention much quicker than before with little bureaucracy. On an even happier note, since this incident, there have been no occurrences of poaching in Bundala National Park.