eLanka

Friday, 3 Oct 2025
  • Home
  • Read History
  • Articles
    • eLanka Journalists
  • Events
  • Useful links
    • Obituaries
    • Seeking to Contact
    • eLanka Newsletters
    • eLanka Testimonials
    • Sri Lanka Newspapers
    • Sri Lanka TV LIVE
    • Sri Lanka Radio
    • eLanka Recepies
  • Gallery
  • Contact
Newsletter
  • eLanka Weddings
  • Property
  • eLanka Shop
  • Business Directory
eLankaeLanka
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • Home
  • Read History
  • Articles
    • eLanka Journalists
  • Events
  • Useful links
    • Obituaries
    • Seeking to Contact
    • eLanka Newsletters
    • eLanka Testimonials
    • Sri Lanka Newspapers
    • Sri Lanka TV LIVE
    • Sri Lanka Radio
    • eLanka Recepies
  • Gallery
  • Contact
Follow US
© 2005 – 2025 eLanka Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Home » Blog » Articles » Kumana National Park Emerges as a Vital Stronghold for Sri Lankan Leopards – By Malsha – eLanka
ArticlesMalsha Madhuhansi

Kumana National Park Emerges as a Vital Stronghold for Sri Lankan Leopards – By Malsha – eLanka

eLanka admin
Last updated: May 8, 2025 3:05 pm
By
eLanka admin
ByeLanka admin
Follow:
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

Kumana National Park Emerges as a Vital Stronghold for Sri Lankan Leopards – By Malsha – eLanka

Sri Lankan Leopards

Kumana, Sri Lanka — Long celebrated for its rich birdlife and vast wetlands, Kumana National Park on Sri Lanka’s southeastern coast is now gaining attention as a vital sanctuary for the Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya). A groundbreaking study conducted by the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ) and the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) has revealed a remarkably high density of leopards in the park, positioning Kumana among the world’s top leopard habitats.

Using camera traps and the Random Encounter Model (REM)—a scientific method for estimating wildlife density—the researchers recorded over 90 leopard encounters during a 16-month period. They identified 34 individual leopards in the eastern region of the park, estimating a density of 41 leopards per 100 square kilometers (38.6 square miles). Lead researcher Dulan Jayasekara noted that this is the first time REM has been used to assess leopard density in Sri Lanka, yielding critical insights despite limited resources.

Since 2017, a parallel citizen science initiative has identified 80 individual leopards within the park. The project, known as Kumana Leopards, uses a naming system and visual identification tips posted at the park entrance to help visitors recognize individual leopards. Spearheaded by wildlife enthusiast Shanaka Kalubowila, the initiative documents leopard movements, maintains a public sightings database, and provides educational resources including a field guide and family lineage data.

More Read

Nova Peris-eLanka
Nova Peris & Her Roots: Any Sri Lankan Links?-by Michael Roberts
SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS – SEPTEMBER 2025
Former Indian state cricketer, Nikhil Chaudhary is turning head in Australian domestic cricket for Tasmania in Season 2025-26

Kumana, which spans more than 35,000 hectares (86,487 acres), is characterized by dry-zone scrublands, monsoon forests, lagoons, mangroves, rocky outcrops, and unique seasonal wetlands known as villus. First declared a bird sanctuary in 1938, it became a national park in 1970 and a Ramsar wetland site in 2010. Though it was largely inaccessible during Sri Lanka’s civil war, the park reopened in 2006 and has since grown in popularity, especially among wildlife enthusiasts seeking leopard sightings.

The Sri Lankan leopard, listed as “vulnerable” by the IUCN Red List, faces an estimated national population of around 1,000 individuals. While Yala National Park in the south remains the most famous location for leopard encounters—with a recorded density of 0.5461 leopards per km²—Kumana is increasingly viewed as a sustainable alternative. This shift could relieve some of the tourism pressure on Yala, which has drawn concern over overcrowding and its impact on wildlife.

Other national parks have shown varying leopard densities: Wilpattu in the northwest reported 18 leopards per 100 km², while Horton Plains had 11.7 leopards per 100 km². However, as conservationist Anjali Watson of the Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust (WWCT) points out, accurate density estimates require careful timing and methodology to account for migration, residency, and other population dynamics.

Despite its promise, Kumana’s leopard population faces growing threats. Leopards that roam beyond park boundaries risk conflict with local communities, especially buffalo herders whose calves are sometimes preyed upon. In retaliation, some herders resort to poisoning, resulting in multiple leopard deaths. Additionally, pilgrims on the traditional Pādā Yāthrā—a foot pilgrimage from Jaffna to Kataragama—occasionally encounter leopards, leading to rare but dangerous human-wildlife conflicts.

Local folklore adds a mythical dimension to Kumana’s leopards. In Lenama, a region within the park, tales speak of massive leopards sent by the deity Kataragama to punish the Veddas for sacrilegious rituals. Modern studies support that these big cats are most active around rocky terrain and water bodies, where prey like spotted deer and wild buffalo are plentiful.

With its rising profile as a prime leopard habitat, Kumana National Park not only enriches Sri Lanka’s biodiversity portfolio but also offers new opportunities for conservation tourism and education. If carefully managed, it could become a cornerstone of sustainable wildlife tourism, balancing ecological preservation with visitor engagement.

Click here to receive your free copy of the eLanka Newsletter twice a week delivered directly to your inbox!
TAGGED:Kumana National ParkLeopard sightings in Sri LankaLeopard tourism Sri LankaPanthera pardus kotiyaSri Lankan leopardswildlife tourism
Share This Article
Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Kaleidoscope 261 Kaleidoscope 261 ft Malithi’s Diary, GSP+, Met Gala, Mansa’s Kitchen, the Economy & More
Next Article Inuki Muthuhetti Inuki Muthuhetti Wins Gold in 200m Backstroke at National Age Group Swimming Meet
FacebookLike
YoutubeSubscribe
LinkedInFollow
Most Read
10 Pictures With Fascinating Stories Behind Them!

“A PICTURE SPEAKS A 1000 WORDS” – By Des Kelly

Look past your thoughts so you may drink the pure nectar of this moment

A Life Hack for when we’re Burnt Out & Broken Down – By Uma Panch

Narration of the History of our Proud Ancestral (Orang Jawa) Heritage. by Noor R. Rahim

eLanka Weddings

eLanka Marriage Proposals

Noel News

Noel News

Noel News

Noel News- By Noel Whittaker

EILEEN MARY SIBELLE DE SILVA (nee DISSANAYAKE) – 29 September 1922 – 6 April 2018 – A Woman of Value an Appreciation written by Mohini Gunasekera

K.K.S. Cement Factory

Dr.Harold Gunatillake’s 90th Birthday party

Sri Lanka's women's cricket squad in Melbourne

Cricket: Sri Lanka’s women’s squad in Melbourne

- Advertisement -
Ad image
Related News
In Loving Memory of David Jonklaas (09 Sep 1942 – 30 Sep 2025) - 2
Articles Obituaries

In Loving Memory of David Jonklaas (09 Sep 1942 – 30 Sep 2025)

Imtiaz
Articles Dr Harold Gunatillake

In Loving Memory of Imtiaz Issadeen – A Visionary Leader, Scholar, and Beloved Friend – By Dr Harold Gunatillake

Articles

LCC MEDIA RELEASE – Liverpool’s Starry Sari Night – where cultures shine together

Articles

LCC MEDIA RELEASE: Dear Belly: you need an appetite for the arts at Liverpool

Potential Reactions of Benjamin Netanyahu to the Establishment of a Palestinian State
Articles Dr Harold Gunatillake

Potential Reactions of Benjamin Netanyahu to the Establishment of a Palestinian State – Dr Harold Gunatillake

  • Quick Links:
  • Articles
  • DESMOND KELLY
  • Dr Harold Gunatillake
  • English Videos
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sinhala Videos
  • eLanka Newsletters
  • Obituaries
  • Tamil Videos
  • Dr. Harold Gunatillake
  • Sunil Thenabadu
  • Sinhala Movies
  • Trevine Rodrigo
  • Michael Roberts
  • Photos

eLanka

Your Trusted Source for News & Community Stories: Stay connected with reliable updates, inspiring features, and breaking news. From politics and technology to culture, lifestyle, and events, eLanka brings you stories that matter — keeping you informed, engaged, and connected 24/7.
Kerrie road, Oatlands , NSW 2117 , Australia.
Email : info@eLanka.com.au / rasangivjes@gmail.com.
WhatsApp : +61402905275 / +94775882546

(c) 2005 – 2025 eLanka Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.