Rampant increase in wet zone hill country leopard population

• 15 leopards in 2020, eight in 2021, and seven in 2022 had died due to human activities
• Increase of leopard population had resulted in expansion of their roaming grounds

By Shantha Chandrasiri   

The population of wetzone hill country leopard (Panthera Pardus Kotiya) has been increasing in a large proportion.   
 Environmental organisations pointed out that the increase of leopard population had resulted in the expansion of their roaming grounds creating a threat to their life.   He said 15 leopards in 2020, eight in 2021, and seven in 2022 had died due to human activities. He said two leopards in Nuwara Eliya and Bulathkohupitiya areas had died in wire traps for the last two and half months of the year. The environmentalist said the leopards that roamed into human habitats to prey on dogs and other domestic animals were being killed.   

Environmentalist Vidanage pointed out that the roaming grounds of hill country leopards expanded over a vast range of jungles in Sri Pada forest reserve, Hatton, Nawalapitiya, Ginigathena, Yatiyantota, Dolosbage, Dedugala, Ihalauduwa, Dampelgoda, Bogawantalawa, Balangoda, Kotagala, Talawakele, Bopatthalawa, Nuwara Eliya, Haggala, Pussellawa, Hewaheta, Delthota, Galaha, Peradeniya and Gampola areas. He said although it is believed that approximately 800 leopards are living in the hill country jungles,  formal statistics to confirm it are not available.   Environmental organisations expressed concern that the hill country leopards identified as Panthara Pardus Kotiya was an animal species facing the threat of extinction.