A research conducted by a group of wildlife researchers from the Department of Zoology at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura has revealed that the second place among the habitats with the highest leopard population in the world is held by ‘Kumana National Park’.
The researchers say that about forty-one leopards live in an area of one hundred square kilometers in the Kumana National Park.
In addition to the population density of leopards, these researchers have also focused on their spatial arrangement and active time patterns.
The researchers said that since the Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera Pardus Kotiya), the largest cat living in the country’s forests, is a critically endangered subspecies in the country, this research data will be useful for conservation efforts.
The researchers also pointed out that the increase in leopard density in the vicinity of the national park compared to other forests in the country is due to the fact that these animals choose places with water sources and rocky mountains when choosing their habitats, as well as access to abundant prey such as wild buffaloes and deer.
This research was conducted by wildlife researchers from the Department of Zoology of the University of Jayewardenepura, including Senior Professor Darshani Mahaulpatha, Dr. Dulan Jayasekara, Pasindu Rodrigo, Chanima Anawaratne, Hiruni Weerasinghe, Ajith Kumara, Charani Gunathilaka, Sachini Sigera, Pawan Vismith, Winuri Mendis, Tharanga Dhananjani, Wasantha Dissanayake and Dilantha Samaranayake.
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