Sri Lankan Leopard

The Sri Lankan Leopard (panthera pardus kotiya) is the island’s top predator and is also one of nine recognized subspecies of Leopard. It is an endemic animal to Sri Lanka and classified as endangered by the IUCN. Of the four species of wild cats found in Sri Lanka, the leopard is the largest. In Sinhala the Leopard is now called Diviya and in Tamil it is called Puli.  

Description

Leopards have lithe, elongated bodies supported on relatively stocky legs and broad paws. Sri Lankan leopards are generally larger in size than their relatives elsewhere. As with other leopards, the coat is a tawny or rusty yellow, marked with the dark spots and rosettes so characteristic of this species; individual markings are unique. Being the sole large carnivore in Sri Lanka it helps to determine the population density and health of prey species such as spotted deer.

Habitat and Diet

It has been observed in a variety of habitats including dry evergreen monsoon forest, arid scrub jungle, low and upper highland forest, rainforest, and wet zone intermediate forests. A recent study has shown that Yala National Park has one of the highest recorded densities of leopards in the world. Its diet includes small mammals, birds, reptiles as well as larger animals. Axis or spotted deer make up the majority of its diet in the dry zone. The animal also preys on sambar, barking deer, wild boar and monkeys. The cat has also been known to tackle almost fully grown buffalos.

Behavior

It is undoubtedly the most cunning of the larger cats and is also stealthy and highly adaptable. It silently stalks its prey until it is within striking distance where it unleashes a burst of speed to quickly pursue and pounce on its victim. The prey is usually dispatched with a single bite to the throat. They are solitary nocturnal hunters but are also active during dawn and dusk. There appears to be no birth season or peak, with births scattered across months. A litter usually consists of 2 cubs. Leopards have a distinctive call which is more like a cough that sounds like a wood plank being cut with a saw. Other sounds that leopards make include growling when aggressive, spitting and snarling when threatened and purring when contented. Leopards in the wild live for 15-20 years.

Conservation

The survival of the Sri Lankan leopard is threatened due to poaching, habitat loss and human-leopard encounters. Years of civil unrest in Sri Lanka have hampered conservation efforts. The Leopard is protected under the Fauna and Flora Ordinance of 1938. Recent studies show that there should be more effective measures to protect the declining leopard population. Associations such as The Leopard Project under the WWCT and the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society are closely working with the Sri Lankan Government to ensure this occurs.