Editorial photo #12242783 Environmental Issue

Sri Lankan Leopard At Yala National Park

Native Sri Lankan leopard ( Panthera pardus kotiya ), an elusive and majestic predator endemic to Sri Lanka, prowls through the dense jungle of Yala National Park. Known for hosting one of the highest leopard populations in the world, the park offers a rare opportunity to observe these big cats in their natural habitat, an active wildlife sanctuary Camouflaged under the trees among the vegetation, the leopard moves with grace and precision, embodying the spirit of the wild. The leopard emerges from the shadows, peering curiously through the thick foliage. As one of the most iconic and vulnerable species on the island, the Sri Lankan leopard faces ongoing threats from habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict. Conservation efforts remain crucial to ensure the survival of this rare and solitary subspecies, Since 2020, the species has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, as the population is estimated at less than 800 mature individuals, and declining. Yala National Park, Sri Lanka - April 2025 (Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto)

Photo details

Photo ID: #12242783
Date taken: 2 April 2025
Location: —
Photographer: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto
Category: Environmental Issue

Related keywords

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