Leopards of Wilpattu

3 rd November 2024 at 1.00pm one young male leopard at Kumbuk Wila pitiya. N 08.42103, E 080.01031

Upon receiving information that a leopard had been seen many vehicles hadgathered at Kumbuk Wila pitiya. I kept observing the forest edge for any signs of the leopard and spotted the leopard moving out of the forest. Having alerted the other by flashing the head lights I started to get a few images. It was a young male leopard. Later upon examining the spot patterns I noted that this is Kumbuk Wila Male 3 KWMC 3, one of the two cubs of Kumbuk Wila Female 2 KWFC 2 popularly referred to as “Cleopatra”.

5th October 2024 at 4.45pm one leopard at Kumbuk Wila pitiya. N 08.42108, E 080.01014

The young leopard had climbed a Palu Tree and was concealed by the branches. I managed to get a few images as the cat changed its position on the branch where the spot pattern of its head could be identified. It was one of the second litter male cubs of Kumbuk Wila Female 2, popularly referred to as Cleopatra. These cubs are are now one year and two months of age. As this is my first sighting of this leopard, I named it Kumbuk Wila Male 3 with the code KWMC 3 for the purpose of my study.