Leopards of Wilpattu

30th June 2019 at 5.28pm one Leopard at Percy Bendi Wewa. N 08.33393, E 080.12952

The Leopard was Percy Bendi Wewa Male 2 (PBWMC 2) and was lying on a small mound of earth. After some time upon spotting a Barking Deer the Leopard started to stalk and moved in the direction of the small Deer. After a few minutes he moved in to the forest. (with guide Tissa Ratnayake)

I was only able to get a record shot of one Leopard, as both of them were only visible from one locality, which was already taken by another vehicle. It was Percy Bendi Wewa Male Cub 2 (PBWMC 2). Both of them moved in to the forest shortly there after.

3.50am One Leopard close to Percy Bendi Wewa. N 08.33644, E 080.12668

A few safari jeep drivers informed us that they had seen a Leopard up a Palu tree on their way in to the park at Percy Bendi Wewa. Unfortunately it got off as we arrived at the spot and I was not able get any images. However much to my relief we spotted another Leopard lying on an anthill by the side of the road across the locality where the two leopards were seen in the morning. It was Percy Bendi Wewa Male Cub 2 (PBWMC 2). The Leopard was quite relaxed and I managed to get some good images of the young male. (with guide Tissa Ratnayake

We parked at Percy bendi Wewa close to Makalanmaduwa road and were having breakfast. Grey Langurs started to make alarm calls. I drove across the bund and observed that the troop of Langurs they were looking in the direction of Makalanmaduwa road. Upon driving back spotted a male Leopard walking across the road. He walked down Makalanmaduwa road. We followed the cat keeping our distance. He walked for a short distance, “marked” the bushes and moved in to the forest. Later upon examining the spot pattern I recognized the Leopard. It was Percy Bendi Wewa Male Cub 2 (PBWMC 2). It was a brief sighting of 8 minutes. (with guide Tissa Ratnayake)

28th October 2018 at 8.42am Percy Bendi Wewa Male 2 (PBWMC 2) between Thammanna Wala and Percy Bendi Wewa. N 08.34010, E 080.12281

The young male leopard was lying at the foot of a tree and was partly covered with foliage. (with guide Tissa Ratnayake)

28th July 2018 at 12.45pm. one Leopard between Percy Bendi Wewa and Ranawara pitiya. N 08.33021, E 080.13386

It was a male cub of and was sleeping on an anthill covered with foliage. I had received images of this leopard from others thus recognized him as the Percy Bendi Wewa Leopard 2 on my site. I observed this leopard from12.45pm to 1.50pm.  Except for raising its head and shifting its position on a few occasions the leopard did not move out of cover. I estimated its age to be around one year and 3 months. This is my first sighting of this leopard. I named it Percy Bendi Wewa Male 2 (PBWMC 2). ( with guide Tissa Ratnayake)