Sri Lankan Leopard Day 2024 introduced Dr. Jeannine McManus, a renowned conservation expert from the Landmark Foundation in South Africa, to the Sri Lankan community dedicated to conserving the endemic Sri Lankan leopard. During her two-week visit, hosted by the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS), Dr. McManus met with multiple stakeholders important for leopard conservation in Sri Lanka, a WNPS news release said.

Fostering Human-Leopard Coexistence in Agricultural Landscapes

Dr. McManus delivered a compelling presentation on “Human-Leopard Coexistence in the Agricultural Landscape” during the WNPS’s awareness program conducted for the Senior Managers of the Regional Plantation Companies. She emphasized the necessity of a thoughtful approach to living alongside leopards in tea estates, advocating for a balance between conservation and human safety.

Dr. McManus highlighted key measures essential for mitigating human-leopard conflicts, such as livestock protection, waste management, and early warning systems. She also stressed the responsibilities of tea estates, which include conservation support, employee safety training, and community engagement.

She was joined by Department of Wildlife Conservation Regional Team Srinath Dissanayake Ratnayake and Prof. Enoka Kudavithanage, who shared their vast knowledge and insights from conducting extensive research in the hill country.

A Collaborative Effort Towards Sustainability

“Dr. McManus’s extensive experience in conservation and mitigating human-wildlife conflicts has proven effective in promoting wildlife-friendly practices. Her insights are invaluable to our efforts to protect the endangered Sri Lankan leopard amid increasing challenges to its survival both within and outside protected areas,” the release said.

“By adhering to regulations, promoting research, and investing in social welfare, tea estates can effectively contribute to peaceful coexistence and sustainability in these shared environments. The collaborative efforts of planters and conservationists are pivotal in ensuring a future where both human and wildlife communities thrive.”

WNPS-LOLC Multiregional Leopard Conservation and Research Project

The release further said: “Multi-Regional Monitoring System for the Conservation of the Sri Lankan Leopard (LRCP)” was established in 2022, focusing on leopard populations in human-dominated landscapes and their protection through research, conservation, and awareness development. The project established six research centers across the country to monitor leopard-related incidents, foster collaboration among different stakeholders, and engage in community initiatives to educate the public and promote coexistence. One of the centers established in Kotagala to cover the hill country often deals with tea plantations and human-leopard interactions.”

The WNPS expressed its gratitude to senior planters for their active participation and unwavering support in protecting the Sri Lankan leopard within their plantations and neighboring forest patches saying “their commitment to overall conservation efforts significantly strengthens our shared mission.”

Dr McManus visit was facilitated by Dilmah Conservation and Jetwing Hotels.