Leopards of Wilpattu

13th August 2022 at 5.16pm a Leopard lying down by the Thambioluwa pond. N 08.38251, E 080.06198
It was an adult female, and I was able to identify her due to the very distinct spot pattern on her forehead. It was Maradanmaduwa Female 1 (MMFC 1). My first sighting of this female was in December 2013 when she was a cub of 18 months. Since then, she successfully raised 4 litters comprising of 6 cubs so far. She is around 10 years now but looked to be in good health. Having taken a few images, I left permitting the visitors in vehicles behind me also to observe the leopard. (With guide Tissa Ratnayake)

24th March 2018 at 10.25am one Leopard at Welvatiya Wala. N 08.38716, E 080.08398

It was Maradanmaduwa Female 1 (MMFC 1). The water hole had almost dried up except for a patch of moisture-laden mud. Interestingly while the Leopard was under the shade of a tree growing at the edge of the water hole an adult male Sambhur antler was also seen about 30 feet from the resting feline. The Sambhur kept on looking in the direction of the leopard and stamping its front feet interchangeably but did not make any alarm calls. The Leopard on a few occasions looked in the direction of the Sambhur and snarled but did not take much notice and slept with its back towards the herbivore.
11.27am a Ruddy Mongoose arrived at the water hole and walked in the direction of the resting leopard, which was looking at it intently. Upon the Mongoose detecting the leopard it instantly turned back and ran away with its fur puffed up.
12.15pm a Land Monitor arrived at the water hole and moved quite close to the Leopard who again did not show much interest in the reptile. Upon detecting the Leopard the terrified reptile stood tall, puffed up its throat and moved away very cautiously.
4.15 pm the silence was suddenly broken by the frantic alarm calls of a Barking Deer.
I observed this leopard for 6 and half hours until 5pm. She was taking very short breaths and did not appear to have any interest in hunting. I was most interested in the behavior of the Sambhur. The confidence portrayed by the prey in such close proximity to an adult female leopard appear to be a clear indication of its ability to surmise that the predator was not interested in hunting that day.
5.00pm left Welvatiya Wala with the leopard still resting at the same spot. (With Guide Tissa Ratnayake)

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.

6th December 2013 at 5.50pm MMFC 1 on the road just before the “Kukul Katu Plains”.  N 8.375783, E 80.070850

As we arrived at this location the leopard was on the road ahead of a parked vehicle. I parked behind this vehicle. After a while the leopard got up and walked to the left of the road and entered the jungle. As we moved forward Danushka spotted it again. I drove away from the leopard for some distance and turned the vehicle so that it would not get disturbed. When we arrived the leopard was in the same spot. Even though the light was quite poor I managed to get some photos adequate for identification. Around 6.02 pm a bungalow contractor’s vehicle arrived and the leopard moved in to the forest again. We reversed on to the open glade and as expected the leopard walked out in to the open about 30 meters moving closer to the ground as if it was stalking. After moving a short distance in this manner it started to lick something on the ground and started to roll over while keeping its eyes on us. By 6.12pm it was too dark for photography and as we had to get to the park entrance we left. Having examined its spot/rosette patterns I realize that this is my first sighting of this leopard. I estimated its age to be around 18 months. I named it Maradanmaduwa Female 1 (MMFC 1). This is my 21st Leopard. ( with Guide podi Danushka)