WNPS Monthly Lecture

Social life and survival strategies of the Sri Lankan Leopards

The Leopards adaptive radiation throughout Asia and Africa is one of the great success stories of Mammalian evolution. With a long association with humans from a time that the leopard was not quite a leopard and humans were not quite human, today it seems that Leopards have learnt more about us than we have learnt about them.

Primarily Leopards have realized that humans are best avoided as they pose an ever-present danger. However Leopards are able to live in close proximity to human settlements even urban areas and live on livestock pets and suitable refuse especially when those very humans have depleted the Leopards natural prey base, by habitat destruction and hunting. We have always underestimated Leopards and do not give this intelligent, adaptable cat enough credit for living as our neighbors in many areas of this country mostly unknown and unseen by their human neighbours. Human leopard conflict however is a growing problem in some areas especially the hills. It is possible to avoid this conflict altogether thereby ensuring the long term survival of Leopards if a few behaviour changes are undertaken by us. The Leopards natural instinct to avoid humans, its unparalleled camouflage and its secretive nature and its learning capacity will all help to minimize the conflict which is driven by us. Fear mongering, unnecessary persecution and disinformation are unhelpful at best and prevent an easy coexistence which can be lucrative and beneficial to even people who have to live with Leopards as neighbours. Leopards are an important part of the food chain and ecological balance in the landscape and are an important keystone species. Their extinction will have unforeseen, adverse consequences throughout the wilderness areas of the country, impacting directly on a myriad other species.

18th January 6pm at the Cinema Hall, BMICH, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7.

The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society Monthly Lecture is open to all members and non-members, admission free

Source: Yamu

Image Courtesy: Yamu