The Multi-Regional Monitoring System for the Conservation of the Sri Lankan Leopard led by the Wild Cats subcommittee of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) in partnership with LOLC Holdings PLC has successfully submitted its findings and, has been accepted for presentation at the 60th Annual Meeting of The Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation in Kigali, Rwanda, a WNPS news release said on Friday.

The conference will be held on July 14 – 18, 2024. The scientific lead of the project Prof. Enoka Kudavidanage, a Professor in Conservation Biology, at Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka and the project coordinator Gihani Hettiarachchi, will be attending on behalf of WNPS and present their findings at this forum.

Started in July 2022, the project focuses on leopard populations outside protected areas, specifically their distribution, ecology, and human-leopard interactions in human-dominated landscapes. The project has six research centers in key regions (Panama, Sigiriya, Kotagala, Belihuloya, Kilinochchi, and Kalawana), providing island-wide coverage.

Activities carried out by these research centers are operated under three main pillars: research, conservation, and awareness. “Over the past two years, we have successfully reached out to a large network of stakeholders, created a meaningful positive attitude change within many communities and have laid a successful foundation for future research,” the release said.

The Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC) is a leading international organization (https://tropicalbiology.org/) dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding and conservation of tropical ecosystems. Established in 1963, ATBC brings together researchers, conservationists, and students from around the world to foster collaboration and share knowledge on tropical biology promoting research, education, and practical conservation efforts to address the challenges facing tropical biodiversity. Prof. Enoka Kudavidanage is the current Sri Lankan representative of the ATBC Asia Pacific chapter.

“We are grateful for the partnership with LOLC Holdings PLC in achieving this significant outcome which led this project to achieve international visibility enhancing the credibility of the research findings and further motivating the efforts of the project team,” WNPS said.

“LOLC Holdings PLC, the largest and diverse conglomerate in Sri Lanka, has continuously supported WNPS in implementing this project over the last two years and their commitment highlights the importance of the private sector’s involvement in conservation, which is crucial for funding the research sector, fostering innovation, and promoting sustainable conservation. Through this collaboration and responsible stewardship, we aim to meaningfully contribute towards conserving the Sri Lankan Leopard through long-term collaborative measures.”