Leopards of Wilpattu

2 Sightings

Humbas Wala Female 1 - HWF 1

Locations of sightings

Between Humbas Wala and Ibba Wala, Thimbiri Wila , Ibba Wala

First Sighting

16th November 2014 at 5.00pm

8th June 2019 at 8.52am one Leopard between Ibba Wala and Kuda Boralu Wala. N 08.38970, E 080.05810

We spotted the Leopard crossing the road at a distance. Upon arriving at the spot I managed to get a few images of her looking in our direction. Even though the Leopard was partly covered I was able to identify the Leopard as the Humbas Wala Female 1 (HWF 1). Despite my being able to only get a record shot I was thrilled with this sighting as this is a very elusive female that I had only photographed once before during my study from 2012 up to date in November 2014. (with Guide Tissa Ratnayake)

16th November 2014 at 5.00pm 1 Female Leopard between Humbas Wala and Ibba Wala. N 08.40205, E 080,05078
It was marking the bushes on the road and moved in to the forest. Having driven to the point where it entered the forest we spotted it lying down among the foliage about 20 feet from the road. It was a very shy animal and moved in to the forest upon the approach of another vehicle. I estimated its age to be around 3 years. Having checked its spot pattern I realized that I had not photographed this leopard earlier. I named it after the location where it was first seen as Humbas Wala Female 1 ( HWF 1). (with guide podi Danushka)