Sri Lanka, Aug. 21 -- The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka has launched a new livestock insurance scheme to protect the endangered Sri Lankan Leopard, or Panthera pardus kotiya.

The programme, a collaboration with the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS), aims to prevent the retaliatory killing of leopards by farmers who lose their livestock.

The initiative provides rapid financial compensation to farmers for any animals killed by leopards.

This is designed to reduce the economic impact on rural communities and foster goodwill towards conservation efforts.

The UNDP stated that leopards are a keystone species, vital for maintaining ecological balance and attracting tourism. However, habitat loss and dwi...