Sri Lanka to delist Grizzled Giant Squirrel as National Animal?

COLOMBO (News 1st); Multiple agrarian unions have proposed to the Sri Lankan Ministry of Agriculture and Wildlife to delist the Grizzled Giant Squirrel as a National Animal of the country.

The farmers point out that the Grizzled Giant Squirrel tops the list of animals that threaten cultivations, and it is impossible to take any form of action against the menace as the Grizzled Giant Squirrel was named a National Animal of Sri Lanka.

They are requesting Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera to replace the Grizzled Giant Squirrel with another endemic species, possibly one that is under the threat.

Minister Amaraweera told News 1st that the matter will be discussed with the relevant stakeholders including the Consultative Committee on National Heritages.

The Minister said among the other animals proposed to replace the Grizzled Giant Squirrel as a National Animal, is the Sri Lankan Leopard.

He said that the Grizzled Giant Squirrel causes considerable damage to Coconut and Cocoa cultivations in Sri Lanka.