Leopards of Wilpattu

29th August 2015 at 9.45am Aalam Villu Male 1 AMV 1 at Kanjuran Villu N 08.45717, E 079.95724

As I entered the villu we spotted the leopard across the villu. It was at the edge of the forest and “marked” the bushes by spraying urine. There after it looked in our direction and moved in to the forest. Having examined the images later I realized that this is AMV 1 that I had observed and photographed in February 2014. This is my second sighting of this leopard. (With guide Sanath)

15th February 2014 at 5.15pm 1 Leopard at Aalam Villu. N 8 24.092 E 79 57.238
I drove towards Nawaladi Uttu and came upon fresh pug marks on the road. The leopard was not to be seen. It was of a big leopard walking towards Aalam Villu. I drove ahead to give time for the leopard to come back to the road and returned after about 10 minutes and spotted the pugmarks again. It had come on to the road and was walking on my tire tracks towards Aalam Villu. I drove very slow expecting to the see the leopard walking ahead of me but did not succeed. However having arrived at Aalam Villu it was spotted resting at the edge of the forest across the Villu. It was a big male in its prime. I estimated its age to be around six to seven years. As this was my first sighting of this animal I named it Aalam Villu Male 1 (AVM 1). (with guide podi Danushka)