SriLanka, Oct. 10 -- The increasing presence of wildlife, including peacocks, monkeys and deer, in urban areas is largely linked to habitat loss, disruptions to natural food chains and the decline of predator populations, according to Hasini Sarathchandra, an official of the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC).

Speaking to Daily Mirror, Sarathchandra said expanding human settlements, industrialisation and development had reduced natural habitats of wildlife, particularly in the low-country wet zone, forcing wildlife to move into urban areas, bringing animals into closer contact with people, raising concerns over human-wildlife encounters in areas such as Colombo.

"Predators play an important role in controlling wildlife population...