Hunter becomes the hunted in Horton Plains

by Ifham Nizam
Pictures courtesy Sankha Wanniatchi

Economic crises and increased demand for bushmeat have intensified poaching activities, exposing leopards to heightened risks, says one of the authorities of Sri Lankan leopards.

Speaking to The Island, nature lover cum wildlife photographer Sankha Wanniatchi says snares set for smaller prey species like wild boars and barking deer also pose a significant threat to leopards, as they often fall victim to these traps while following similar trails. Additionally, instances of retaliatory killings, though possibly underreported, further exacerbate the peril faced by leopards.Sankha has spent more than a decade capturing leopards of the Horton Plains leopards.

Excerpts of the interview:

The Island: It is understood that your book on leopards is a major boost to the tourism sector especially when it comes to nature lovers. What’s special about it?

Sankha: It is a combination of wildlife photography, scientific exploration, and captivating storytelling, offering a potent means of engaging the public. Dedicated to the majestic leopards of Horton Plains, it delves into their behaviours, morphology, and other intriguing aspects of their world. As an endemic subspecies in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan leopard holds a unique position among the nine subspecies worldwide, warranting focused efforts to comprehend its behaviours and ensure its survival. Alongside discussing conservation efforts, the book also serves as a valuable resource for promoting tourism through conservation initiatives.

Q: Any special reasons why you are keen on mountain leopards?

A:It should be leopards inhabiting the mountains, not mountain leopards, as we only have one subspecies in Sri Lanka. This distinction is important because using the term mountain leopards implies the existence of other leopard types in Sri Lanka. My interest in studying leopards in mountainous regions stems from my deep connection to Horton Plains National Park. As a child, I frequented the park with my biologist parents, where I gained invaluable knowledge from them. Witnessing my first leopard at the age of 6 in Horton Plains which left a lasting impression on me, igniting a lifelong passion for leopard research.” I always loved leopards. They are fascinating to photograph and there’s so much to learn from them.

Q: Are you working on the leopards of Yala and Kumana?

A:

No. I focus only on Horton Plains National Park.

Q: Leopard in Sri Lanka is genetically unique, your thoughts on it?

A:Sri Lankan leopard is unique to this country and is the only leopard subspecies in Sri Lanka.

Q: Are you happy about leopard conservation here?

A:Numerous organisations are dedicated to studying leopard behaviour and distribution, yet their efforts are insufficient. The current knowledge gap persists as we lack an accurate estimate of the leopard population in Sri Lanka. Leopards inhabit diverse environments, from dry zones and rainforests to montane regions, both inside and outside protected areas, often coexisting with human settlements. Hence, there is a pressing need to intensify research efforts aimed at understanding these elusive predators.

Sanka with his wife Nilushika and his friend Heshara Aluthge

Q: What is the biggest stumbling block when it comes to leopard conservation here?

A:Poaching, retaliatory killings, and insufficient awareness pose significant threats to leopards. Poaching, particularly rampant outside protected areas, poses a grave danger to these majestic animals. Economic crises and increased demand for bushmeat have intensified poaching activities, exposing leopards to heightened risks. Snares set for smaller prey species like wild boars and barking deer also pose a significant threat to leopards, as they often fall victim to these traps while following similar trails. Additionally, instances of retaliatory killings, though possibly under-reported, further exacerbate the peril faced by leopards.

Q: On your 100th sighting of the leopard, to date roughly how many sighted?

A:My total sightings are now at 224. I spent 145 days in Horton Plains during 2023. This was mainly focusing on the book.

Q: Who inspired you to become a nature lover?

A:My father, Lakshaman Wanniatchi’s craze to go to Horton Plains. We would visit Horton Plains National park every other month and spend time in Ginihiriya (aka Anderson’s Lodge). This was the start of my love for wildlife and nature. Learned so much through from my school S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia master in charge for Wildlife Society Mr. A E N Fernando. He introduced me to camping, how to be patient around animals and best practices of wildlife tracking. I got Inspired for wildlife photography through Namal Kamalgoda’s photography, I still remember I used to follow his work on social media.

Male Leopard

Q: What’s special about your book?

A:It’s the first book on the leopards of Horton Plains. It’s a science based photographic book.

Q: What’s your favourite chapter in the book?

A:Favourite would be observing differences among leopards.

This chapter delves into the unique characteristics that distinguish leopards inhabiting mountainous regions from their counterparts in dry zones. It explores the Altitudinal Effect on size, Climate-induced adaptations affecting physical growth, and other pertinent factors.

Q: Your message to nature lovers?

A:Wildlife photography holds the potential to serve as a powerful conservation tool. Rather than expecting specific sightings when visiting parks, embrace the experience as a journey into nature and appreciate its offerings. While a leopard sighting may be a thrilling bonus, it’s equally important to engage in activities that contribute to conservation efforts. Beyond photography, consider ways to give back to nature by collaborating with the Department of Wildlife and Conservation and actively participating in conservation initiatives.

Q: Why are leopards becoming popular?

A:People are asking, how do leopards become popular all of a sudden in Horton Plains? Did the Department of Wildlife introduce leopards to Horton Plains?

None of these are true. Leopards have always roamed Horton Plains for the longest time. I saw my first leopard in Horton Plains when I was 6 years old. It was truly a rare sighting before 2020. A female leopard got habituated because her home range was right on the road. So every time she walks her rounds she starts seeing vehicles and humans. Eventually she got used to us. Then in December 2020 she gave birth to three cubs and those cubs got habituated. Now there are 4-5 active leopards in that area. This is the main reason we are seeing more leopards. Due to the higher number of habituated leopards, the probability one seeing a leopard is high.

Q: What are your views on learning about wildlife?

A:There is so much to learn in terms of wildlife. But we are used to doing the same thing all over again. Because we are driven for results. Photography should be more than just photography. You need to understand about the animals/subject if you want to photograph them. Also, along with photography, we need to look at the possibility of giving back in terms of conservation. There are enough ways and means to help our national parks. From helping the ground staff with essentials or helping the park management.