Enjoying the majesty of our leopard responsibly

This coming week (1 August) will mark the fourth annual Sri Lanka Leopard Day.

The Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) is one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic and charismatic wildlife species. As the island’s only large predator, it plays a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance of Sri Lanka’s diverse ecosystems. The Sri Lankan leopard is a subspecies endemic to the country and is one of the largest leopard subspecies in the world. 

However, this leopard is classified as ‘Endangered’ with an estimated population of less than 800 mature animals remaining in the wild. Habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching are some of the biggest threats that the Lankan leopard faces, and in 2021, 1 August was made Sri Lanka Leopard Day following a proposal by the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS). 

As a keystone species (a species that significantly shapes its environment and influences many other species within its community), its presence is pivotal in maintaining the balance within its ecosystem. 

“Leopards are apex predators that help regulate prey populations, which in turn influences the vegetation and overall health of the habitat,” explained Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka Department of Natural Resources Senior Lecturer Prof. Enoka Kudavidanage. 

However, the burgeoning popularity of leopard-centric tourism poses significant risks to their natural behaviours and habitats. Excessive and irresponsible tourism can lead to habitat degradation, increased stress on the animals, and disruptions in their natural activities. 

“It’s crucial to remember that while we are fascinated by these animals, our presence should never interfere with their lives,” Prof. Kudavidanage said. “Especially within protected areas, the priority should always be conservation. The safety of the animals and the habitat should always come first and tourism second. The animals should be enjoyed, but without harming their existence – their daily activities and their access to water and food.”

The allure of the Lankan leopard

The fame of the Sri Lankan leopard is far-reaching. Sri Lanka’s unique allure as a wildlife destination is significantly amplified by the prospect of observing these enigmatic creatures in their natural habitat. It is one of the island’s biggest wildlife tourism draws for both local and foreign tourists. 

Sri Lanka’s abundance of national parks also provides a variety of different habitats within which to spot the leopard, from dry zone parks to those like the Horton Plains National Park, which have recently seen their leopard populations garner attention for their specific adaptation to the misty mountain climate. 

For a species to be endangered yet famous can be a double-edged sword. With tourism increasing as well as a growing demand for sightings and pictures of this beautiful creature, we stand to risk hurting the long-term future of the leopard in our quest to admire it and celebrate it. 

This Sri Lankan Leopard Day, The Sunday Morning Brunch explored how we can celebrate the magnificent creature that is the Sri Lankan leopard without disrupting its habitat and behaviour. 

“The leopard is not just a symbol of our wilderness but also a cornerstone of our ecotourism industry. One important thing to understand is we live in a wonderful, amazing country with lots of biodiversity in terms of habitats. 

“Where leopards are concerned, we don’t have serious conflicts with wildlife and are able to enjoy the leopard as a country, and are also in a position where tourism can benefit from the leopard. However, in order to continue to enjoy it, we need to place value on conserving the leopard,” Kudavidanage said of our public relations with the Lankan leopard, adding that this conservation should be shaped by careful interpretations of ecology and solid research into the leopards so that we as humans could protect them better. 

The role of research in conservation

Since 2022, Prof. Kudavidanage has played a key role in guiding the Multi-Regional Monitoring System for the Conservation of the Sri Lankan Leopard led by the Wildcats subcommittee of the WNPS in partnership with LOLC Holdings PLC. 

Started in July 2022, the project focuses on leopard populations outside protected areas, specifically their distribution, ecology, and human-leopard interactions in human-dominated landscapes. The project has six research centres in key regions (Panama, Sigiriya, Kotagala, Belihuloya, Kilinochchi, and Kalawana), providing islandwide coverage. Activities carried out by these research centres are operated under three main pillars: research, conservation, and awareness. 

Over the past two years, the project has successfully reached out to a large network of stakeholders, created a meaningful positive attitude change within many communities, and laid a successful foundation for future research. Its findings were recently presented at the 60th Annual Meeting of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation in Kigali, Rwanda. 

“We sincerely believe that the private sector has a large role to play in matters such as protecting wildlife,” LOLC Holdings Chief Operating Officer (COO) Kithsiri Gunawardena said of how the project came to be. He noted that especially in times of economic struggle, resources were often diverted away from wildlife and environmental conservation and that, combined with the leopard’s position in our ecosystem as a keystone species, led to this investment in driving research into the leopard, which could be used to build meaningful conservation strategies for the future. 

Gunawardena, who is also the author of wilpattu.com, a knowledge platform that focuses on the Wilpattu National Park, also highlighted the charisma of the leopard and its ability to better its environment, not just in the ecological sense but also in the economic and communal sense. 

“The success of conservation of any national park, in my view, is the involvement of the people living in the surrounding areas,” he explained, noting that in the case of Wilpattu, which is well-known for its leopard population, the community was very involved in the activities of the park. With its youth being jeep drivers, and families owning guest houses and homestays, this fosters a strong sense of community which is centred around the benefits the wildlife of the park can provide. It also makes this community more committed to conserving it. 

Balancing conservation and tourism

To ensure the sustainability of leopard tourism, it is imperative to adopt practices that minimise our impact on these majestic creatures and their environments. This involves a concerted effort from both tourists and tour operators to engage in responsible wildlife viewing and photography. 

Photographer and publisher, John Keells PLC Vice President and Cinnamon Hotels Head of Eco Tourism Chitral Jayatilake shared with Brunch that one of the foremost rules in wildlife tourism was to maintain a respectful distance from the animals. 

“Getting too close can be extremely stressful for leopards, leading to altered behaviours that can affect their survival,” he explained, stressing that by keeping a safe distance, we allowed leopards to move freely and exhibit natural behaviours without feeling threatened

Jayatilake also stressed that being a tourist or photographer did not lend anyone any privilege, and the same rules that would apply to any visitor to a national park would (and should) apply even to tourists and photographers.

Wildlife photography is a powerful tool for conservation, but it must be conducted ethically to avoid harming the subjects. “Photographers should prioritise the welfare of the animals over the desire for the perfect shot,” emphasised Jayatilake. This includes using appropriate equipment to capture images from a distance, avoiding the use of flash, and refraining from actions that might provoke or distress the leopards.

Conservation photographer and author Sankha Wanniatchi, who has extensively photographed the leopards of Horton Plains National Park and published the photography journal/research book ‘Ghost of the Clouded Plains’ on the Horton Plains leopards, also shared his advice on photographing wildlife, especially within a national park setting. 

“My policy is to never disturb the animal and break their natural behaviour,” he shared, adding that any wildlife photographer should carefully research the animals they were hoping to photograph and gain a solid understanding of that animal’s behaviour. 

Taking cues from the animals themselves is vital. “With leopards, some are habituated to humans. They won’t really care if you’re there. You can even drive fairly close to them. They will keep their distance but hang around. Others are less habituated and get scared, so approaching them needs to be done differently,” Wanniatchi said. 

He further explained that his research in Horton Plains over the years allowed him to identify many of the leopards there on sight and he now had working knowledge on which leopards were habituated. However, he emphasised that this was because he had studied the behaviour of these leopards, both in a general sense and in a specific sense, which was why aspiring photographers needed to do so as well. 

Gunawardena also stressed the importance of not disturbing animals, warning that animals like leopards would change their behaviour very quickly if they felt uncomfortable. 

“Leopards are very smart animals. They will decide if they want to be seen or not. For example, in the buffer zones outside Wilpattu, they have altered their behaviour to the extent of becoming nocturnal because they don’t want to be seen and will only come out in the evening when the communities in those areas [chena cultivation is common in the area] are on their way home,” he said. 

Gunawardena compared this behaviour to that of leopards inside the park, which were more habituated to humans (including safari jeeps), and as such, were comfortable roaming about during the day.

Jayatilake, Gunawardena, and Wanniatchi all stressed the importance of equipment for those interested in photographing leopards, even casually, highlighting that a phone camera was simply equipped to get a good picture of a leopard, given the distance that you needed to maintain from a leopard in order to not disturb it. 

“I often appeal to the selfish side of humanity,” Jayatilake said of how he approaches promoting responsible wildlife tourism and photography even in pre-safari briefings. “If you don’t want to think of the animals, think of yourself. Focus on what you’re getting out of it. 

“If you’re not responsible you will mess it up for yourself. If you get too close and spook the animals, they will move into the jungle. Conservationists will say you have disturbed the animal and that is a terrible thing to do. But on a selfish level, you have lost your opportunity to see that animal or take its picture. And you have also lost that opportunity for everyone around you. So think of yourself.” 

Some dos and don’ts for wildlife enthusiasts

Speaking to Prof. Kudavidanage, Gunawardena, Jayatilake, and Wanniatchi, Brunch put together a list of dos and don’ts for responsible wildlife tourism. Here’s to enjoying wildlife like the glorious Lankan leopard responsibly. 

Dos

• Maintain a safe distance: always observe leopards from a respectful distance to avoid causing them stress.
• Limit noise: keep noise levels low to minimise disturbances to the wildlife.
• Use eco-friendly products: opt for reusable and biodegradable products to reduce environmental impact.
• Stay on designated paths: follow park guidelines and stay on marked trails to protect the habitat.
• Educate yourself: learn about the behaviour and importance of leopards and other wildlife before visiting.
• Support conservation efforts: choose ecotourism operators that contribute to wildlife conservation initiatives.
• Practise ethical photography: use appropriate equipment, avoid flash, and prioritise the welfare of the animals.

Don’ts

• Do not approach wildlife: avoid getting too close to leopards and other animals.
• Do not feed animals: feeding wildlife can alter their natural behaviour and diet.
• Do not litter: dispose of all waste properly to keep the environment clean.
• Do not make sudden movements: sudden actions can startle wildlife and disrupt their natural activities.
• Do not use flash photography: flash can disturb and distress animals.
• Do not violate park regulations: adhere to all rules and guidelines set by national parks and wildlife reserves.
• Do not disturb natural habitats: avoid trampling vegetation or altering the environment in any way.

PHOTO © SANKHA WANNIATCHI