The Sri Lankan leopard scientifically known as Panthera pardus kotiya is one of the 8 species of leopard subspecies recognized globally. Leopards can be found in a wide range of climates from dry to wet zones in Sri Lanka.
Leopards have to compete for their food in countries where strong big predators like lions and tigers live, but leopards are Sri Lanka’s top predator. Cheetahs are easily recognized by the black spotted markings on their yellow skin. Leopard Day 2021 has been declared by the Wildlife and Nature Conservation Society on the 1st of Awani in 2021 and is being celebrated for the second time this year.
Leopards are very important in maintaining the natural balance by maintaining the food chain. Leopards are classified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). According to scientific research, less than a thousand leopards live in Sri Lanka.
Leopards are solitary in nature. They sleep up to 18 hours a day and are active during the evening to night and early morning hours and prey on deer, mares, wild boars, monkeys, porcupines and birds. They sneak up close to their prey without making a sound and kill them by striking quickly and crushing the prey’s trachea.
It can eat fattening prey sparingly for 2 to 3 days and then survive without any other prey for 7 to 14 days. Female cheetahs give birth to 2 to 3 cubs at a time. They live with their mother for 18 to 24 months.
As many as 96 leopards have died in Sri Lanka in the last ten years. Leopard deaths are generally attributed to man-made factors such as deforestation and habitat loss, snaring, poaching for skin, teeth, claws and meat, and natural factors such as old age and attacks by other animals such as crocodiles, bears and buffaloes.
Senior environmental lawyer Dr. Jagath Gunawardena said on the crimes related to leopards, it is a punishable offense under Section 30 of the Flora and Fauna Conservation Act to kill or harass leopards or to possess or sell the skin, teeth, claws and meat of leopards and those involved in such crimes are prosecuted by the police or the Wildlife Department or They will be arrested without warrant by the Forest Protection Department.
Following the increasing number of deaths of leopards in the highlands, awareness programs related to leopards are being organized by the Rainforest Alliance and conducted by the Wildlife and Nature Conservation Society with the financial support of Unilever.
Apart from this, Leopard Research Centers have been set up at Kilinochchi, Sigiriya, Belikul Oya, Banama, Kotagala and Morningside based on various research objectives like Leopard habitat, heredity, food habits and human-leopard conflict under the auspices of LOLC, a 5-year research program on wildlife and nature. Implemented by the Security Council.
Kalanidhi Ch. According to Vijayamohan (University of Vavuniya), the large areas of dense canopy forests in the north are crucial for maintaining optimal leopard populations and habitats in the north. However, in some places, especially in areas like Mannar Kunjukulam, there are cases where leopards prey on livestock, and cattle owners kill and bury leopards with poisoned meat.
Thus the deaths of leopards are not as obvious as the death of an elephant. He also said that the A9 road cuts through the forest in the north, dividing it into east and west, and because of the heavy traffic on normal days, leopards rarely cross the road. He pointed out that their genetic long-term effects should also be considered.
Prof. Inoka Gudavithanage (Saparagamuwa University) on mountain leopard range says that while forests such as the Horton plains and the Peak wilderness provide excellent habitat for leopards, other small forest areas have been fragmented by activities such as deforestation and agricultural land expansion. Leopards live. When there is a shortage of natural prey for the cheetahs living in small forest areas near such people’s habitats, they seek human settlements and prey on cattle and dogs.
Therefore, by ensuring the safety of domesticated dogs and livestock, leopards can be prevented from coming towards the habitats. Most importantly, proper disposal of food waste can prevent other dogs or pigs from scavenging for that food waste and prevent leopards from scavenging for it. By taking appropriate measures, leopards can be avoided from seeking human habitations.
Leopards always try to avoid humans except when they are looking for such prey. So by learning about leopards and knowing how to protect ourselves from them, we as compassionate Sri Lankans can try to live in harmony with nature and protect the endangered Sri Lankan leopards.
Thanks – Veerakesari