19th September 2015 at 9.35am 3 Leopards between Maradanmaduwa and Thambi Oluwa. N 08.38010 E 080.06572
Two were on a fallen tree trunk and one moved down as we arrived. The third was on the ground with only its tail visible through the bushes. The two on the tree trunk were two male cubs of about 9 to 10 months. This is my first sighting of these leopards and I named them Maradanmaduwa Male 1 (MMMC 1) and Maradanmaduwa Male 2 (MMMC 2)
11.40am 1 Leopard MMMC 1 on the same tree trunk between Thambi Oluwa and Maradanmaduwa.
1.46pm 2 Leopards, Maradanmaduwa Male 1 (MMMC 1) and Maradanmaduwa Male 2 (MMMC 2) on the same fallen tree trunk. I observed them for approximately 2 hours till 3.50pm. The third leopard was not visible.
4.55pm 3 Leopards on the fallen tree trunk between Thambi Oluwa and Maradanmaduwa.
I was informed by a jeep driver at Kumbuk Wila that with the increase of the safari jeeps some visitors had disturbed the leopards and moved in to the forest. As these were cubs I expected them to remain in the same locality and with the jeeps leaving the location for them to be back on the tree trunk again.
Having arrived at the location I was thrilled to observe three leopards on the tree trunk. While two of the cubs could be seen well the third leopard was covered by foliage.
While I was photographing the two cubs the third leopard moved towards the cubs and started too lick them demonstrating maternal behavior. This activity lasted for about 6 minutes and permitted me to capture some images of the three leopards together. Later upon examining the spot and rosette pattern of the third leopard I realized that it is the Maradanmaduwa Female 1 (MMFC 1) that I had last observed at Maradanmaduwa in December 2013. As female leopards are known to produce their first litter when they are around 2 and half years I’m certain that these two cubs should be her first litter.
With the arrival of other jeeps I moved my vehicle to allow the others parked behind me also view this fascinating sight.