[Wilapalawa is a man-made tank, Wilapala = Kangkung/Water Spinach (Ipomea aquatica)]
Wilapalawa 2:3 male was born in late 2018, around Wilapalawa and Mahaseelawa. His mother is the Kotigala 3:2 female and this is her first recorded litter.
He is a bold male and earned the Most Photographed Leopard title for the year 2020. He was such a performer, showing a great attitude and confidence in the presence of safari vehicles. As a sub-adult, he was frequently seen around Wilapalawa, Mahaseelawa, Weli Āra, and Kaetagal Wala. There were a few sightings of him even outside the park (close to the Palatupana Entrance).
Few interesting behaviors were observed where this male was seen with the Kudāseelawa female cubs around the above-mentioned areas. In February 2021, there was an exciting sighting of a failed hunt of a buffalo calf made by the Wilapalawa male.
Though his sightings were less frequent in the latter 2021 and early 2022 he was still seen around Mahaseelawa, Pattiya Wala, Palatupana, and even outside the park. In February 2022 he was seen mating with Kudaseelawa 1:2 female at Pattiya Wala area.
In April 2022 he was seen close to Ondatje junction along the Sithulpwaa road. Since then he has been establishing his territory around that area. In 2023 and 2024 there were regular sightings of this male around Ondatje bungalow road, Sithulpawwa road, and Magul Maha Vihara(archeological site) areas.
Yala Leopard Diary database – https://yalaleoparddiary.com/identified-leopard-result/YM47 https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.629951067694411&type=3
