Sri Lanka, Aug. 18 -- Wildlife officials in Sri Lanka are advising people in the hill country to secure their dogs at night, following a surge in attacks by leopards.

A CCTV camera in Ginigathhena captured one of two dogs being taken by a leopard around 11:00 pm (17). Estate workers in the region have noticed an increase in similar incidents, with the big cats preying on dogs kept as pets or for protection.

Experts believe the change in leopard behaviour is linked to a virus that has caused a sharp decline in the population of their natural prey, wild boars. As their food source diminishes, the leopards are moving closer to human settlements.

The Department of Wildlife Conservation is now urging residents to take precautions to protect...