Leopards of Wilpattu

9th September 2023 at 3.54pm one leopard at Borupan Wila. N 08.42706, E 080.02002
It was an adult female leopard, and she was lying at the water’s edge shielded by a shadow of a bush. Later upon examination of its spot pattern I was able to identify her as Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2). This leopardess is popularly referred to as “Cleopatra”.

1st August 2023 at 10.15am one leopard at Borupan Wila. N 08.42665, E 080.02072
It was lying at the edge of the forest at the Thibiri Wila end of Borupan Wila. Her spot pattern confirmed that it was Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2) popularly referred to as Cleopatra by the Guides and jeep drivers. After a few minutes she walked into the forest.

1st April 2023 at 9.30am – 2.47pm two leopards at Eriyakkulampooval. N 08.43872, E 080.00075

It was a male and a female engaged in copulation. Such a pair is referred to by the jeep drivers and guides as a “mating couple”. The leopards had been in the open and mating but had moved into the forest. Many jeeps were parked where they could be heard growling. I parked at a distance since there was no view or possibility of photography. Around 11 am the male leopard moved in the direction of the road leading to Manikrala Uraniya followed by the female. The jeeps that had gathered rushed on to the narrow road. As expected by mid-day most safari jeeps left, I waited until 12.55pm and drove up on to the location where the leopards could be seen. There were only two jeeps left, and they were kind enough to move their vehicles and give me space. I parked the vehicle where the leopards could be seen through the foliage. It was the dominant male in the area Nelum Wila male 5 (NWMC 5) referred to as Neluma and Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2) popularly referred to as Cleopatra. They were lying on the forest floor about 30 feet off the roadside by side and flicked their tails regularly. I was quite pleased to observe the mating behaviour of these cats at such close range. The female initiates the act of mating by walking around the sleeping male with a low growl and caressing him with her body and tail. Then she lowers herself to the floor in front of the male, inviting him to mate. The male does not mount her immediately but shows affection by licking the back of her neck. After few such attempts the male responds by mounting her and mating. Between 12.55pm to 2.47pm they mated every 15 to 20 minutes. Each act of mating lasts for about a minute and ends with loud growls where the female turns and attempts to hit the male with her paw. He jumps off her to avoid being hit with a loud growl.  The estrous cycle of a leopardess is said to last for about one and a half months, and she will remain in heat for 7 to12 days every 2 – 3 months. If she conceives the gestation period is 3 to 3 and a half months. If a cub dies a female will come in to heat in two weeks.  I received reports and images of this female (KWFC 2) mating with this male (NWMC 5) on 29th and 30th December at Kokkare Villu and Demata Wila respectively. Thereafter on the 4th of February she was seen mating with another male, Nelum Wila Male 4 (NWMC 4) at Walas Wala. Therefore, despite mating with this dominant male in December she had not conceived and had come in to heat again in 35 days. Evidently, she had not conceived for the second time in February as 55 days after she mated with NWMC 4 she is now mating again with the same dominant male. I have no information whether she also mated with any other male during this period. If this copulation is successful, she should be having her second litter by June this year.

4th November 2022 at 4.30pm 3 leopards at Madangaha Wala. N 08.41536, E 079.99683

I had received information the previous night, from a guide who was staying at a bungalow inside the park, that a leopard had killed a Sambhur at this locality the previous evening. They had seen the leopards feeding on the kill. When I arrived in the morning the kill nor the leopards were to be seen. It appeared that the kill had been dragged down to the narrow water way by the many mugger Crocodiles that were seen at the location. The swollen bellies of these reptiles suggested that they had helped themselves in the night to the leopards kill. I visited this location on several occasions in the morning during my game drive but there was no sign of the leopards. The foul smell of rotting flesh however, suggested that the kill is yet to be consumed in its entirety and as such the leopards should return. I continued to visit this locality in the evening as well.  When I arrived around 4.30pm, a safari jeep was parked at the location and the driver indicated the presence of a leopard by blinking the hazard lights. There were two leopards and a third joined them shortly after my arrival. The leopards were out in the open despite a strong drizzle. All three of them were together for a few minutes, and I managed to capture some good images depicting interaction between the mother and the two cubs. They licked each other and rubbed their bodies and tails against each other in an exhibition of their affection for each other. One moved down to the water way and the sudden increase in the intensity of the foul smell suggested that the leopard was feeding. Within a short time, the second leopard also moved in the same direction. I was able to identify them without much difficulty as Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2) a female popularly referred to as Cleopatra and her two first litter male cubs Kumbuk Wila Male 1 & 2 (KWMC 1 & 2). These cubs are now two years and two months in age. Usually, leopard cubs are said accompany their mother for about two years and leave to begin lives on their own. However, leopards are far more sociable compared to the other big cats and I have observed many males, females and cubs occupying overlapping territories in the park. Last month there was a record of cubs of two different mothers, Divulgas Mandiya Female 1 (DGMF 1) and Palukola Wala Female 1 (PKWF 1) being together at Divulgas Mandiya. On the 3rd of November 2022 Isuru Chathuranga Dayananda sent me a video he had captured of these cubs together with Divulgas Mandiya Female 1 (DGMF 1) again close to the same location. There have been records in Sri Lanka and in India of male and female cubs continuing to be in the natal area for much longer periods than two years. Dr. Vidya Athreya, a senior scientist of the Wildlife Conservation Society of India who has conducted extensive research on human leopard interactions informed me that she is aware of a male leopard cub in India being in the company of its mother and caring for her the next litter while she away hunting. 

14th August 2022 at 7.50am one leopard between Mahapatessa and Kudapatessa. N 08.43282, E 079,99846
It was Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2), popularly referred to as Cleopatra by the safari jeep drivers. She is the mother of the two male cubs seen around Kumbuk Wila and Kokkare Villu. The cubs are around two years now and she spends most of the time away from them. She was walking in the direction of Mahapatessa but followed by a few vehicles. Unfortunately, she moved into the forest about 50 feet before reaching the opening where the road opens out to Mahapatessa as the vehicle that was following her moved too close. I reversed my vehicle to allow the advancing leopard to walk down and was rewarded with a few good images. (With guide Tissa Ratnayake)

14th November 2021 at 3.57pm 2 Leopards between Kumbuk Wila and Kokkare Villu. N 08.42021, E 080.00209

While at Madangaha Wala, safari jeep driver Jeevan Nishantha informed me of two leopards on a sand patch between Kokkare Villu and Kumbuk Wila. I arrived at the spot and observed an adult female and a young male. It was Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2) and one of her male cubs Kumbuk Wila Male 2 (KWMC 2). These cubs are now one year and 3 months old and should leave the mother in a few months to look for territories of its own and lead solitary lives. The cub is quite affectionate towards his mother and licked the back of her head. The adult female did not reciprocate the affection towards her son. She expressed her displeasure by growling at him. This is typical female leopard behavior when the cubs reach around 1 and a half years. The females almost overnight become increasingly less tolerant of their cubs in a bid to drive them away from their territory. I have observed this behavior with many females with cubs. 

19th September 2021 at 12.44pm one Leopard at Mahapatessa. N 08.43094, E 080.00427
The female leopard was sleeping on a horizontal branch of an old Thimbiri tree overlooking the villu. I had no clear view of its head, but the spot pattern of her left flank confirmed that this is Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2), the mother of the two male cubs seen frequently around Kumbuk Wila. She is referred to as “Cleoparta” by the guides and jeep drivers. Around 1.45pm a Toque Monkey made an alarm call and the leopard immediately got off the tree, crossed the road behind my vehicle and moved in the direction of the call. I reversed the vehicle and spotted the leopard lying on the forest floor on her hunches. She appeared to be watching something on the forest floor. The tip of its tail was moved frequently indicating her alertness. In a few minutes she became relaxed and moved further into the forest. Considering the direction, she walked I expected her to walk on to Mahapatessa Thimbiri Wila road. We parked the vehicle enabling us to have a clear view of the road ahead. In a few minutes the leopard broke cover and moved on to the road. She “marked” the bushes and started to walk away from where I had parked. Upon the arrival of some vehicles ahead of us she moved into the forest on the opposite side. This time as I expected her to walk on to the Kumbuk Wila Mahapatessa road we waited for a few minutes at Mahapatessa and drove slowly towards Kumbuk Wila and met the leopard on the road again. She walked for a short distance and moved into the forest.

6th September 2021 at 2.00pm two leopards at Thimbiri Wila. N 08.42732, E 080.01073

I arrived at Thimbiri Wila from Mahapatessa at 10.30 and decided to park and wait at this locality. As I photographed Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2) in the morning I expected the cubs also to be in the vicinity and that they would move out to drink towards evening. Around 2pm as expected Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2) the mother walked to the edge of the forest and in a few minutes one of her cubs the Kumbuk Wila Male 2 (KWMC 2) walked up to her. Thereafter both leopards were lying down close to each other. Our patience paid off when around 3.47pm the mother, KWFC 2 walked to the edge of the water followed by her cub KWMC 2 to drink. Having quenched their thirst, the mother lay down in the open, but the cub swiftly moved into the forest. In a few minutes the mother also followed the cub into the forest.

6th September 2021 at 7.15am one Leopard at Thimbiri Wila. N 08.42758, E 080.01035

The leopard was on the road and moved few feet in to the forest and lied down. It was an adult female and was partly covered by foliage. I managed to get a few images prior to her moving into the forest. It was Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2), the mother of the two cubs.

4th September 2021 at 11.28am 3 Leopards on Kumbuk Wila upper road. N 08.41846, E 080.00845

We drove on to Kumbuk Wila upper road and safari Jeep driver Hiranjan Dilshan informed us that Cleopatra and the two cubs had been seen about half an hour ago on this road. We waited for about an hour expecting them to move back on to the road but had no success. Around 11.25am a Ceylon Jungle Fowl and few Indian Palm Squirrels started making alarm calls and we were able to spot the leopards lying together about 15 feet from the edge of the road. The two cubs that I have listed under Leopards of Wilpattu – Guest section as Maha Wewa Leopard 3 & 4 were seen with their mother Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2). Even though the cats were partly covered in foliage I was thrilled as this was my first sighting of these cubs. The first images I received of these cubs were from Dr. Rishani Gunasinghe in February 2021 where I estimated their age to around 5 months. They are about a year old now. Considering the location, of my first sighting I named them Kumbuk Wila Male 1 (KWMC 1) and Kumbuk Wila Male 2 (KWMC 2) for the purpose of my study. Having taken a few record images, I reversed expecting them to move on to the road. But with the arrival of a two more jeeps the cats moved further into the forest.

3rd September 2021 at 4.47pm another Leopard between Mahapatessa and Kumbuk Wila. N 08.41641, E 080.02534

I drove up to Kumbuk Wila and turned towards Mahapatessa. In less than 30 meters from the resting area heard the frantic alarm calls of Grey Langurs indicating the presence of a leopard. I carefully observed the surrounding area but could not spot the leopard. Thus, I drove down to Mahapatessa to give some time for the leopard to move on to the road and was rewarded on my return journey as the leopard was walking in my direction. I reversed the vehicle to maintain adequate space and started to photograph. It was Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2) popularly referred to as Cleopatra. One of the main reasons for my visit to the park was to photograph the two cubs of this female that had eluded me on a few occasions. I was excited expecting her to be accompanied by her two cubs but soon realized that she was on her own. The bold female would sniff and “mark” the bushes (scent mark by spraying urine) as she walked. I was able to get some good images of her walking towards me, but I ensured that I maintain an adequate distance to give her adequate space. Having walked almost up to Mahapatessa she moved into the forest. I drove down to Mahapatessa expecting to see her again but had no luck.

28th March 2021 at 2.45pm one Leopard between Kokkare Villu and Kumbuk Wila. N 08.41732, E 079.99805

Ranjan, a safari jeep drive informed me that they saw a leopard move into the forest where the road from Madangaha Wala joins Kokkare Villu. I drove down to Kumbuk Wila rest area and turned back while the others drove down Kumbuk Wila upper road. As I expected the leopard had moved back on to the road and was walking in my direction. It was an adult- female and I was able to instantly identify this leopard. It was Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2) popularly referred to as “Cleopatra” by the guides and jeep drivers. Having walked in the direction of Kumbuk Wila she lied down on the road permitting me to get some good images. Unfortunately for me she was not accompanied by her cubs. Upon the arrival of a few other jeeps, she moved into the forest but continued her walk towards Kumbuk Wila.

14th December 2019 at 4.55pm a female Leopard on Kumbuk Wila upper road. N 08.41854, E 080.00321

The Leopard had been at the edge of the forest and was out of our view. As we drove close she leaped in to the forest and I immediately stopped the vehicle and turned off the engine. Much to my relief she moved back on to the road a little ahead of us permitting us to get a few images of its profile. She walked across the road in to the forest. It was a very brief sighting. Later upon examining the spot pattern I was happy to note that this is Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2), the female commonly referred to as Cleopatra. (with guide Tissa Ratnayake)

12th November 2019 at 2.25pm one Leopard lying on a horizontal branch of an old “Madang” tree at Kokkare villu. N 08.41927, E 079.99304

Upon being informed of a Leopard we arrived at Kokkare Villu and spotted a female Leopard on a tree. As we arrived at the location it started to rain. This was extremely frustrating as we were able to see the animal but was not able to photograph due to the rain. Thankfully the rain was quite brief and I was able to get a few images adequate enough to identify the Leopard. It was Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2) the second litter single cub of Borupan Wila Female 2 (BWF 2). As there were other vehicles at the back I got a few images and moved out permitting them to have a view. (with guide Gihan Sampath Jayawardena)

18th November 2018 at 3.45pm one Leopard on Lunu Wewa road. N 08.44161, E 080.02019

We drove down to Lunu Wewa bungalow and were on our way back when we spotted the Leopard seated by the side of the road. It was a female and was sniffing the bushes intently. On a few occasions she lifted both her paws up to reach up to sniff the bushes. In less than two minutes she walked across the road and moved in to the forest. Having examined the images I noted that it is Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2). This female is now 2 years and 8 months old and is showing signs of being in eustress for the first time. She appear to be following the male in whose company she was observed yesterday on Kumbuk Wila upper road and which male I photographed in the morning on this road. However this male is now about the same age as the female and is yet to reach sexual maturity. Even though female leopards reach sexually mature around 2 years and 6 months and are able to conceive males appear to take a longer period to reach sexual maturity. (with guide Tissa Ratnayake)

We spotted the leopard moving through the jungle in the direction of the road and reversed to ensure its path is not obstructed. The Leopard walked on to the road, walked in the direction of Borupan junction for a few meters and entered the forest towards Borupan Wila. Having examined the images I was able to identify the animal as Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2) the female I photographed in the morning. (with guide Tissa Ratnayake)

17th November 2018 at 2.06pm two leopards on Kumbuk Wila upper road.  N 08.41837, E 080.00825

It was Nelum Wila Male 5 (NWMC 5) and Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2). As we approached the bent Ficus Tree on this road saw a male leopard crossing the road. I was not able to get any images of this animal as he moved in to the forest towards Kumbuk Wila. After a few minutes a female leopard emerged from where the male leopard moved on to the road. She walked for a few meters in our direction and moved in to the forest following the male. I was able to get a few good images of this animal and identified her as KWFC 2. Upon examining photos taken by another visitor I was able to confirm that the male was NWMC 5. (with guide Tissa Ratnayake)

27th October 2018 at 11.30am Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2) on Kumbuk Wila upper road. N 08.41977, E 080.01146

The leopardess was walking in the direction of Kokkare villu. I stopped and revered to ensure its path is not obstructed. She walked on the road in our direction and moved in to the forest. I was pleased to observe that she is in excellent condition. (with guide Tissa Ratnayake)

28th July 2018 at 5.20pm one Leopard at Kumbuk Wila pitiya.  N 08.42155, E 080.00854

The leopard was lying with its back towards us across the open filed. Later upon examination of the spot pattern I was able to identify the leopard as Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2). As we had to reach the park entrance by 6.30pm we left. (with guide Tissa Ratnayake)

16th November 2017 at10.20am one Leopard on Kumbuk Wila Upper road. N 08.41644, E 079.99993

It was Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2). She was walking in the direction of Madan Gaha wala. I reversed and started to photograph while she kept on walking in my direction. Having walked about 30 feet close to the vehicle she moved in to the forest. (with guide Tissa Ratnayake)

30th July 2017 at 5.29pm one Leopard at Thimbiri Wila. N 08.42439, E 080.01178
We drove down to Thimbiri Wila from Kumbuk Wila and spotted the leopard at the edge of the water body. We arrived in the nick of time as the leopard was stalking some prey and moved in to the forest permitting me to get only a few images. Upon examining the images I note that it is Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2). (with guide Tissa Ratnayake)

29th July 2017 at 7.40am One Leopard at Mahapatessa. N 08.43077, E080.00390
We proceeded from Thimbiri Wila towards Mahapatessa and I noticed pugmarks of a leopard walking towards the water body.  As I drove down to the edge of water at Mahapatessa a leopard was spotted to the right. It was Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2). The young female leopard walked along the edge of the water and drank. Having drunk its fill she moved further away. A troop of Grey Langur was alreted by the alarm calls of a Barking Deer and started to give out alarm calls. Then the leopard moved in to the forest. (with guide Tissa Ratnayake)

22nd April 2017 at 5.28pm two Leopards at Borupan Pitiya. N 08.42384, E080.02508
Having observed few jeeps parked at the turn off to Borupan pitiya I approached them and realized that they were watching a leopard. Guide Supun signaled me to take the vehicle forward. The female cub was with an adult male leopard. It was an extremely brief sighting of about 3 minutes. Both the leopards moved in to the forest upon the arrival of other jeeps. Later upon examination of the images I was able to identify both the leopards. The male was Nelum Wila Male 3 (NWM 3) and the female cub was Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2).
Four days ago, on the 18th of April Namal Kamalgoda observed the same male mating with Borupan Wila Female 2 (BWF 2), the mother of this female cub. As the cub, which is only one year and 4 months, is yet to become totally independent and far too young to mate I assumed that its mother also would have been close. It could well be that this male is her father. This sighting is of great importance to me as it was an interaction between an adult male and a cub, which is seldom observed in the wild. I’m extremely thankful to guide Supun for permitting me to take the vehicle forward at the most crucial time, which enable me to photograph the two leopards. (with guide Tissa Ratnayake)

10th February 2017 at 4.33pm 1 Leopard, Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2), at Thimbiri Wila. N 08.42438, E080.01219.
It was lying at the edge of the water close to the Kumbuk Wila road end. After a few minutes she stood up and started to walk towards the Mahapatessa road end. On a few occasions she approached the water but snarled and retreated without drinking. Perhaps she may have had a bad experience with a Crocodile. I left upon the young leopard moving in to the forest. (with Guide Tissa Ratnayake)

10th February 2017 at 7.25am 1 Leopard, Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2), on a leafless tree at Kumbuk Wila Pitiya. N 08.42107, E080.01009

The young leopard exhibited typical juvenile behaviour in being alerted by the birds that would alight on the thin branches of the tree and intently observing the Spotted Deer grazing at a distance. The Grey Langurs continued to make their alarm calls announcing to all the presence of a leopard.  At 8.15am she climbed down and walked across the open field in to the forest resulting the Grey Langurs to intensify their alarm calls. (with Guide Tissa Ratnayake)

9th February 2017 at 11.10am one Leopard on the road between Thimbiri Wila and Mahapatessa. N 08.42720, E080.00903

Safari Jeep driver Samantha who was parked ahead of me kindly moved his jeep to enable me to photograph the leopard. Thankfully I managed to get one photo in the nick of time before it moved in to the forest due to a vehicle that arrived from the opposite side.  Having examined the photos I realized that this is Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2). (with Guide Tissa Ratnayake)

9th July 2016 at 6.15pm 2 Leopards at Kumbuk Wila uda para sand patch. N 08.41976, E080.01466
As I was aware that there was a Wild Boar carcass at Kumbuk Wila uda para sand patch I drove to this location expecting a sighting. We spotted one adult female but it moved in to the forest before I was able to photograph. As we watched a cub moved on to the road and permitted me to take a few photos. It was a female cub and I estimated its age to be around 6 months. This is my first sighting of this leopard and I named it Kumbuk Wila Female 2 (KWFC 2) (with guide Tissa)