Leopard Day marked at Dehiwala Zoo

A Sri Lankan leopard rests at the Dehiwala Zoo in Colombo on August 1, 2025, in celebration of Sri Lankan Leopard Day. Recognized as the apex predator of the island’s ecosystems, the Sri Lankan leopard stands as a symbol of national pride and biodiversity. However, this iconic species faces mounting threats from habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict, with 67 leopard deaths recorded between August 2022 and March 2025. The current estimated population of Sri Lankan leopards in the wild ranges from 700 to 950 individuals. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana