Leopards of Wilpattu

It was Maradanmaduwa Male 4 (MMMC 4), the same young male observed at this locality yesterday. He was seated close to an ant hill. With the arrival of many safari jeeps, he moved in to the forest.

4th February 2024 at 10.58am two leopards at the “Kukul Katu Pitiya” at Maradanmaduwa. N 08.37206, E 080.07174

They were lying down under a few Ranawara bushes and were concealed from view.

2.18pm a few Spotted Deer moved close to where the two leopards were sleeping, and one started to stalk the deer while the other stood up allowing me to take a few images but remained in the shade. Upon seeing the spot pattern, I realized that these are the two 5th litter cubs of Maradanmaduwa Female 1 (MMFC 1). I had named them Maradanmaduwa Male 4 (MMMC 4) and Maradanmaduwa Female 4 (MMFC 4) for the purpose of my study. It was the female cub that was stalking the deer. The deer were not able to detect the young predator and walked past where she was lying in ambush. After the deer had walked away the young female broke cover and moved out on to the plains watching the deer. After some time, she moved in the direction of the deer in typical feline liquid motion with her belly close to the ground and charged but was not successful. She moved in to the forest while the deer continued to make alarm calls.

3.20pm MMMC 4 that remained in the shade moved towards the forest and I quickly moved on to Ikirigollawa road expecting him to move in that direction. I was thrilled when the leopard broke cover and walked across the open plains. Safari jeep driver Chaminda informed that he saw the leopard climb a Margosa tree from where he was parked. After a few minutes the leopard moved on to an exposed branch offering the leopard hungry visitors to get some memorable images. These two cubs are now one year and 4 months of age and would remain with their mother for a maximum of 6 months before leaving her in search of a territory of their own. Considering that her mother MMFC 1 is almost 12 years of age now and may not be able to raise another litter it is likely that the female cub will remain at this locality.

9th of September 2023 at 8.45am two leopard cubs at Maradanmaduwa. N 08.37364, E 080.07178
It was a male and a female. They were climbing up and down trees and engaged in chasing each other. After some time with the rise in temperature both lay down on a termite hill to rest. During the dry season Leopards often sleep on termite hills due to the exterior of these being cooler than the rest of the ground. Upon examination of their spot pattern, I was quite pleased to note that these are the two fifth litter cubs of Maradanmaduwa Female 1 (MMFC 1). This is my first sighting of these two cubs. They are about one year now. Thus, for the purpose of my study I named them Maradanmaduwa Male 4 (MMMC 4) and Maradanmaduwa Female 4 (MMFC 4).

10th September 2023 at 9.45am 2 Leopards at Maradanmaduwa Kukulkatu pitiya. N 08.37428, E 080.07125
As I arrived one of the cubs climbed a tree and the other remained on a termite hill. Except for about 20 minutes where I drove down to the Maha Wewa Road upon receiving information of a leopard, I spent the whole day observing and photographing these two cubs. Except for about an hour where the male also climbed a tree, he remained sleeping on the termite hill. The female jumped down from the tree and joined the male around 4.15pm. It was the same two cubs Maradanmaduwa Male 4 (MMMC 4) and Maradanmaduwa Female 4 (MMFC 4) that I observed and photographed yesterday morning across the road.