This leopard was the first of a number seen on last year’s trip to Sri Lanka. It was in Wilpattu towards the north of the island. We found it relaxing in the shade of some trees, but it soon emerged to give an excellent and prolonged view. The Sri Lankan sub-species is thought to have evolved to reach slightly larger sizes than those elsewhere due to the lack of other big cat competition, leaving it to be the sole feline apex predator. When we reached the southern end of Sri Lanka where the density of leopards is much greater, we went on to see a further 5 or 6 leopards.
