They were first spotted in the 1940, and in the 1960, in Yala and in Hiniduma. However there is a possibility that these rare animals known as the black leopards may have been spotted by villagers even before the 1940, but not been recorded in the country, history. Black Leopards are considered to be endangered and a rare sighting in the country. However environmentalists and wildlife
Wildlife experts added that this carcass displayed all the features of the Sri LanKan Leopard (Pantliera Pardus Kotiya).
www.srilankan.comiceylona,
“There were only pieces of this animal. The second animal, whole skin was found at Kalawana while the third animal was found caught in a snare in Deniyaya,”
ex,. believe the animal still exists in the country after another black leopard was seen on camera in Sri Pada recently. Three carcasses were found within two years. According to Environment lawyer lagath Gunewardene the first carcass of a black leopard was found at Weerapana. “There were only pieces of this animal. The second animal, whole skin was found at Kalawana while the third animal was found caught in a snare in Deniyaya,” Gunewardene said.
eventually sent to the Kahawatta hospital mortuary for preservation. Environmentalists believe that they still exist in the deep jungles of the country. It is only when a carcass is found that wildlife officers can examine the dead animal and determine its size, sex and age. Assistant Wildlife Director Southern Division the late Childers layawardhane and Game Guard K.G. Uparis have spotted this rare s,cies. “Many years ago black leopards were seen in the Yala jungles and it is quite possible that the progeny of the melanin gene animal is still found in the Yala The carcass of the black leopard group of reserves.
In 1951, when found in Deniyaya was about 2 ‘A I was a trainee Game Ranger at feet in height and 6% feet in length. Yala Uparis, who many and old According to wildlife ex,rts the timer and jungle enthusiast to skin of the dead animal seemed to Yala, related to me his ex,rtence appear black from a distance but on of seeing a black leopard near closer inspection was found to have Banawalkema in the Yala North black spots which could be discerned Intermediate Zone, (YNIZ) (Present like that of a normal leopard. Yala National Park block III, then, Wildlife experts added that this a shooting block),” layawardhane carcass displayed all the features of said. the St Lankan Leopard (Panther He added that in 1948, Uparis Pardus Kotiya). The carcass was was assigned to supervise the
