Leopards of Wilpattu

28th March 2021 at 5.45pm another leopard on the road between Paaluwilandawa junction and Percy Bendi Wewa. N 08.34908, E 080.11762
It was also a female leopard and was lying across the road. As I stopped the vehicle she stood up and started to walk in my direction. I was not able to reverse to give way for the advancing leopard as there were other vehicles parked behind me. Having walked almost up to the vehicle she moved into the forest. Having examined the spot pattern I realized that this is Percy Bendi Wewa Female 2 (PBWF 2) on my site. I was quite excited as I have had only one brief sighting of this elusive female in August 2020.

22nd August 2020 at 6.15pm one Leopard at Percy Bendi Wewa.  N 08.33393, E 080.12952

The young female leopard walked in the direction of Percy Bendi Wewa. She was not disturbed by the few vehicles that kept their distance.  She would stop to mark and sniff the bushes exhibiting typical leopard behavior. Unfortunately, as she walked down to water more safari jeeps arrived and some moved too close. The leopard moved across the bund in to the jungle. It was a young animal of about 2 years. Later upon examining her spot pattern I noted that this is my first sighting of this leopard. I named it Percy Bendi Wewa Female 2 with the code (PBWF 2) for the purpose of my study. ( Bathiya Senadhipathy and guide Tissa Ratnayake)