Wildlife officials and environmentalists have warned that pilgrims bringing animals along on the annual ‘Pada Yathra’ to the Kataragama Esala Festival could attract predatory wild animals when travelling through forests, posing a serious risk to devotees.
The warning was issued during a meeting of the Kataragama Esala Perahera organising committee.
Deputy Director of the Disaster Management Centre – Ravindra Kumara, told the committee that following the participation of ‘Aloka’, the canine that accompanied the ‘Ehipassiko’ peace walk, some devotees have taken inspiration and have begun bringing their own dogs on the pilgrimage.
Wildlife officials and military personnel cautioned that the presence of dogs could attract wild animals, including leopards, sloth bears and pythons, into areas frequented by pilgrims, creating a significant safety hazard.
Therefore, they urged devotees not to bring animals on the pilgrimage.