Leopards of Yala
Male
River Valley 3:4 Male (2023) [YM 76/Chello]
In July 2024, a fascinating behavioral observation was made. While River Valley 3:4 Male was nearby, his mother, River Valley 2:1 Female, was seen mating with the dominant Lolugas Wala Male at Kotabendi Wewa, hinting at possible shifts in the social dynamics of the area.
Female
River Valley 2:1 Female [YF 67/Cherry]
River Valley 2:1 Female first appeared in the northern region of Yala Block 1 in August 2022, shortly after the untimely death of Kotabendi 1:2 Female. Following this event, River Valley 2:1 successfully claimed the vacant territory. Based on her lack of prior sightings, we speculate that she was likely born beyond the river in Block 2.
Male
Maila Wala 3:3 Male (2021) [YM 61/ Nilame]
In April 2024, he had a close encounter with Pan Wala male, resulting in visible scars on Maila Wala male’s face. These scars mark his ongoing battles as he strives to establish his territory among the dominant males.
Male
Kaakkan Wala 3:4 Female [YF 77/Shelly]
Kaakkan Wala female was born in mid-2022 and her mother is Divul Kale 2:2 Female (this is her first known litter).
This female cub was seen within her mother’s territory which includes Pan Wala, Thalgasmankada, Darshana Wewa junction, Modharagala, and Y – Junction.
Male
Debaragas Wala 3:2 Male [YM 75/James]
Debaragas Wala male was around April/May 2022 and was first photographed in July 2023 close to Kotigala with his mother Lolugas Wala 3:4 female. This is Lolugas Wala female’s first known litter
Male
Kohomba-Kema 3:3 Male [YM 72/Scott]
Throughout the year 2022, they were regularly seen playing and resting on top of the rock bed and they were the star leopards of the North of Yala block 1. The Kohomba-Kema 3:3 male was first recorded with his two siblings (Kohomba-Kema 2:1 female and Kohomba-Kema 2:2 male) and their mother in December 2021. He was a few months old cub back then. Their mother is theY-Junction 2:2 Female 2 (this happens to be her second known litter).
Male
Kohomba-Kema 2:2 Male [ YM 73/Spencer]
They were the star leopards of North of Yala block 1 in the year 2022.
All three cubs mainly were seen around Kohomba-Kema area of New road and hence given the name Kohomba-Kema cubs. Throughout the year 2022, they were regularly seen playing and resting on top of the rock bed and they were the star leopards in North of Yala block 1.
Female
Kohomba-Kema 2:1 Female [YF 71/Salomi]
They were the star leopards of North of Yala block 1 in the year 2022.
All three cubs were mostly seen around Kohomba-Kema area of New road and hence given the name Kohomba-Kema cubs. Throughout the year 2022, they were regularly seen playing and resting on top of the rock bed and they were the star leopards in North of Yala block 1.
Female
Maliththan-Kotu Wala 3:3 Female [YF 64/Sansa]
The Maliththan Kotu Wala 3:3 female was seen as a months-old cub around the Welamalkema area in August 2021. Her mother is the Welmalkema 4:4 Female (2017). This is her first known litter.
Initially, this young cub was quite shy, unlike her mother, in her young stages. But with time, she grew to become quite comfortable around vehicles.
Female
Gal-Mandiya 3:2 Female (2021) [YF 70/Elsa]
The Gal-Mandiya 3:2 female was born in mid-2021 accompanied by two cubs, the Gal-Mandiya 2:2 Female and another cub who didn’t survive for long, unfortunately. Their mother is the Warahana 2:2 female (2). This is the fecund Warahana female’s third known litter.
These cubs are regularly seen along the areas of New Road from Gerimas Pokuna to Gal-Mandiya, Alikatupalassa, Walas Wala and Warahana.
Female
Gal-Mandiya 2:2 Female (2021) [YF 69/Erica]
The Gal-Mandiya 2:2 female was born in mid-2021 accompanied by two cubs, the Gal-Mandiya 3:2 Female and another cub who didn’t survive for long, unfortunately. Their mother is the Warahana 2:2 female (2). This is the fecund Warahana female’s third known litter.
Female
Thenuwara Wala 4:3 Female [YF 60/Vasana]
Thenuwara Wala 4:3 female was seen and photographed for the first time for our records at Thenuwara Wala which is close to Korawak Wewa in July 2021. She is a fully grown female with decent amount of confidence towards vehicles.
Female
Agil Wala 2:2 Female (2019/20) [YF 55/Malee]
Agil Wala 2:2 female was first photographed as a few months old cub at Agil Wala area of Medha Paara in February 2020 with her brother Agil Wala 2:2 male and mother Modhara Gala 2:3 female.
Female
Sithulpwwa 3:3 Female [YF 57/Kamala Devi]
Kohomba Kema 3:3 female is a shy female that was first photographed for identification in July 2020 at Sathvila road close to Kohomba Kema as a fully grown female leopard. There was a sighting of her around Alikatupalassa and Gerimas pokuna.
Male
Heen Wewa 3:3 Male (2020) [YM 58/Yasa]
Heen Wewa 3:3 male (2020) was first photographed for identification in mid-2020 around the Heen Wewa bungalow with his brother Heen Wewa 2:2 male.
Their mother was unknown to us due to the lack of photographic evidence. Still, these two brothers gave us lots of sightings in the latter half of 2020 and the first half of 2021 around the Heen Wewa, Galalukada Wewa, and Gonagala Wewa areas.
