Locations of sightings
Herathhamy Wala, Mana Wila to Kattarampu Villu
First Sighting
17th February 2018 at 2.55pm
18th May 2019 at 11.47am one Leopard at Herathhamy Wala. N 08.49334, E 079.98955
Having arrived at the water hole we scanned the areas across the water hole and spotted the Leopard lying down under a bush growing at the edge of the water hole. The animal was partly covered by the branches and its dappled coat made it quite difficult to detect. I managed to get a few images adequate enough to identify the animal.
12.00 noon a Barking Deer arrived at the water hole and the Leopard lowered its head and took up a stalking stance. But the small herbivour moved back in to the forest.
12.50pm a safari jeep arrived with some noisy visitors. Much to my disappointment the Leopard almost instantly moved in to the forest. Upon examination of its spot pattern I was able to recognize the leopard. It was Herathhamy Wala Female 1 (HHWF 1). (with guide Tissa Ratnayake)
20th April 2019 at 11.57am one Leopard at Herathhamy Wala. N 08.49343, E 079.98956
As we arrived at the water hole the Leopard was spotted at the edge of the water hole. It was a female and she crouched down upon our arrival. I managed to get a few images and having checked the spot pattern identified the leopard as Herathhamy Wala Female 1 (HHWF 1). By the time I drove down to turn the vehicle the leopard was gone.(with guide D.M.Wasantha Kumara)
10th March 2018 at 11.27am one Leopard at Herathhamy Wala. N 08.49345, E 079.98955
We arrived at this picturesque water hole and as there no signs of any animal decided to park and observe. (Usually when no other animals are present at a water hole there is a likely hood of the presence of a Leopard) I drove ahead, turned the vehicle and parked with the water hole on the driving side. Thereafter I started to scan the areas under the low bushes across the water hole carefully. To my delight I spotted a Leopard sleeping under a bush. It was quite hard to detect as it was perfectly camouflaged in the dappled light. It was a female leopard and she was looking in our direction. After about 10 minutes she started to lick her paws and other parts of her body. As with domestic cats Leopards clean their skin by licking. Having examined the spot pattern I was able to identify her as the Herathhamywala Female 1 (HHWF 1), which I photographed during my previous visit at the same location. At 12.03pm she stood up, yawned and cautiously walked up to the edge of the water. She looked in our direction for a moment and perhaps having realized that we pose no danger to her started to drink. She drank for about 4 minutes permitting us to get a few precious images before walking along the edge of the water hole and disappearing in to the forest. (with guide D.M.Wasantha)
17th February 2018 at 2.55pm one Leopard at Herathhamy Wala. N 08.49342, E 079.98959
It was lying at the edge of the forest to the right of the water hole and was covered by some tall grass. After about 20 minutes she got up and walked in to the forest. In less than a minute she walked on to the road permitting me to take a few clear images. Having examined her spot pattern I noted that this is Kok Motte leopard 2 listed under “Leopards of Wilpattu – Guest” section. I have received images of this leopard only from Mr. John Wilson. He captured images of this leopard on the 7th of August 2016 on Kok Motte road and I estimated her age to be around one year then. Thus she is now around 2 and half years. The Leopard walked towards Kattarambu Villu for a short distance and moved in to the forest. This is my first sighting of this leopard and I named it Herathhamy Wala Female 1 (HHWF – 1). (with guide Tissa Ratnayake)
