Leopards of Yala
Female
Jamburagala 2:4 Female
This young female was first seen and photographed in April 2017, around the Jamburagala area. Surprisingly, there were no more sightings after this initial run-in.
Male
Idhdha Gala 2:4 Male (2017/18) [YM 40/Caeser]
Idhdha Gala 2:4 male was first photographed in August 2018, at the Gōnagala Wewa area and at Galalukada Wewa. He has not been seen, since mid-2019.
Female
Heen Wewa Bungalow 1:1 Female (2017) [YF 38/Niki]
Heen Wewa bungalow 1:1 female was born in early 2017, around Heen Wewa and the Heen Wewa Bungalow area. Her mother is the Heen Wewa 3:2 female. She was photographed a few times in May 2018, around the same area.
Male
Heen Wewa 2:3 Male [YM 35/Arnold]
Those scar marks which decorate his face indicate that he is a bruiser. Heen Wewa 2:3 male is one big male and was first photographed in March 2010, near Karawgas Wala. In June 2017, he was found at Heen Wewa, and at that time he was badly injured.
Female
Heen Wewa 3:2 Female [YF 35/Nisa]
She is seen very rarely. She was first seen and photographed for identification in June 2014, around the Heen Wewa area. She was photographed in May 2018, around the Heen Wewa Bungalow area with her sub-adult daughter, the Heen Wewa Bungalow 1:1 female. In the same month, she was observed to be limping as she was walking.
Female
Heen Wewa 3:3 Female (2013)
Heen Wewa 3:3 female was photographed in January 2013, at Heen Wewa. She had a sister, who is the Heen Wewa 2:3 female. After 2014, there are no records of this female.
Female
Heen Wewa 2:3 Female (2013)
Heen Wewa 2-3 female was first photographed as a cub in April 2014, at Heen Wewa with her sister, the Heen Wewa 3-3 female cub. Their mother is the Heen Wewa 3:2 female. This is her first known litter. After 2014, there are no records of this female.
Male
Andhun Oruwa 4:3 Male (2005/06)
Andhun Oruwa 4:3 male was first photographed in 2006 in the Andhun Oruwa Wewa area with his mother and sister. He was seen around Yāla junction, Digan Wala, Gōnalabba Junction, and near Rawum Wala of Medha Pāra.
Male
Andhun Oruwa 3:3 Male (2003-2017) [YM 01/Hāmu]
The undisputed King of Yāla, aptly nicknamed “Hāmu” (meaning leader/chief in Singhalese) has been patrolling the plains of Yala for many moons. He is unlike any male leopard and even at 14 years of age, he still held onto his hard-earned territory and was observed still passing on his regal genes to future generations.
Female
Halmilla Wewa 2:2 Female
This shy female was first photographed in May 2016 near Halmilla Wewa, close to the Katagamuwa entrance. This female was shown to be very elusive.
Male
Gōnagala 2:3 Male (2004)
Gonagala 2-3 male was a very bold male leopard who was dominating the Gonagala area in his prime time. Thus, he was known as ‘King of Gonagala’
Male
Gōnagala 2:2 Male (2013)
He was known as “Superman” by our team due to the “S” shape seen on his forehead. This cub was extremely bold (as his namesake, Superman) and ventured out into the open very frequently. This cub was first seen when he was about 6 months of age, with his sibling in January 2014.
Male
Ginikasayā Wala 2:3 Male [YM 05/Lucky]
This male was a big male who was mostly seen around the Jamburagala area, Tanki Gala, and Jamburagala – Gōnagala Road. Ginikasayā Wala 2-3 male was first photographed for identification in August 2016, at Ginikasayā Wala Road, near Jamburagala.
Female
Gerimas Pokuna 2:2 Female (2015) [YF 37/Dark Eye]
She was one of the most easily distinguishable leopards in the park due to the striking difference in her eye colors. Her right eye is creamy colored like an owl’s while the other had a rich honey hue to it. This situation is known as Heterochromia iridium. She was initially recorded in 2016, around Gerimas Pokuna in the North part of Yāla block 1.
Male
Gerimas Pokuna 1:2 Male (2015/16)
Gerimas Pokuna 1:2 male was born near Gerimas Pokuna in 2016. His sister is Gerimas Pokuna 2:2 female but currently, there is no photographic evidence to confirm their mother.
