KLF41 Aarya is on the move!

Fascinating story developing!

In Sept 2023, KLF24-Agra was recorded with a cub between Aluthgama Wewa and Eraminiyan Wewa – seen by Lochana Kodithuwakku. With monsoon, roads went from bad to worse, we lost track of them as only a handful of times we were able to travel to Aluthgama corner looking for them.

Later, in mid March 2024, KLF24-Agara was recorded mating with KLM33-Nandi at Kumana wewa 1st junction. Again found her in Eraminiyan wewa in May 2024, yet we had no signs of the previous cub.

Unexpectedly in April 2024, Prashanth Jayasekera came across the cub, but surprisingly this time she was in Itikala. This is about 6.4km approx (as the crow flies) from her original location. A month later (May 2024) Supun Dilshan has seen her at the same spot in Itikala.

Making it more compelling, Nadarajah Mauran & Mithila Sihilara Jayasinghe has found her now in Bagura, far north east, which is further 5.5km away from Itikala.

She has now travelled almost from one end of the park to the other end. Possibly looking to find a territory to settle. By looking at all the picture proof, it is possible that she is still between 12-18 months of age. Fact that she is travelling far off from original location in such small age is offbeat to a certain degree as they are known to keep company of mother for about 20-30 months before they approach independence.

She is now given a code as KLF41-Aarya, making her the 77th leopard we found in Kumana/Kudumbigala.

Similar behavior was recorded for KLF20 back in 2022 – Read here