Leopards of Wilpattu

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.