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Report on the status and distribution of the Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) for the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES)
SUBMITTED BY DEPARTMENT OF WILDIFE CONSERVATION, GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA
A.Kittle & A.Watson – The Leopard Project <aalanka@sltnet.lk> |
Introduction:
The leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) is the largest of four wildcat species recorded in Sri Lanka where it is the island’s only big cat and its top predator. This population has evolved geographically separated from the mainland species Panthera pardus fusca and is now recognized as one of the nine subspecies of Panthera pardus currently extant in the world (Uphyrkina et al 2001; Miththapala et al 1996). While leopards are considered endangered and listed on CITES Appendix I throughout their Asiatic range, this isolation and subsequent sub species designation underlines the precarious status of this island leopard.
The leopard has historically been found in all habitats throughout the island (Phillips 1935). These habitat types can be broadly categorized into:
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(1) |
arid zone (<1000 mm rainfall) |
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(2) |
dry zone (1000-2000 mm) |
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(3) |
wet zone (>2000 mm) |
Broad lowland forest swaths characterize the arid and dry zones while the wet zone is further subdivided into lowland, sub-montane and montane sections. Intermediate zones are also present and usually form gradations of habitat type. The northeast monsoon, which occurs from mid-October to January, and the southwest monsoon from May to July, directly influence the island’s ecosystems and act to create numerous micro-climatic zones.
Current Status and Distribution:
Approximately 12% of the country is protected as National Parks while 20% remains forested. It has been suggested (Santiapillai 1986) that remaining populations of leopard are extant only within the country’s National Parks, however this is not the case as there are relatively large tracts of unprotected wilderness and semi wild land still utilized by wildlife including leopards. This cover is highly fragmented but leopards are able to utilize these disparate patches provided that some form of minimal cover connects them. This includes plantation land, forested riparian zones and marginal scrub.
Results from ongoing research in selected habitats as well as an island wide distribution survey indicate that resident populations are still extant in all major climatic zones throughout the country. The exception to this is the more developed and highly populated areas of the western wet zone. While it is expected that populations exist in the north, where a significant expanse of dry zone forest remains in the Wanni jungles, this area has not been investigated due to the ongoing civil conflict.
Currently no numbers are known for the total island leopard population. There have been estimates of island-wide population numbers in the past (approx 400-600 by Santiapillai et al. 1982), however the accuracy of these are debatable as they have been garnered from the extrapolation of estimated numbers from one area of the country to another. Leopard densities in the arid zone are not expected to mirror those in the sub-montane wet zone for instance, putting into question this form of estimation. In addition, almost no consideration has previously been given to leopards living outside protected areas; however current research indicates that significant numbers do inhabit these areas.
For the leopard to survive as a viable population in Sri Lanka it is vital that its Area of Occupancy as well as the Extent of Occurrence be clearly understood. What is being realized is that leopard populations are present and resident in many areas outside National Parks and protected areas.
Map.1 (numbers correspond to list below) displays the current state of knowledge regarding the minimum distribution of the Sri Lankan leopard and its extent of occurrence within the island. The information is from sightings, deaths and signs (scat and spoor). As mentioned the north of the country is not adequately represented. The actual Area of Occupancy within these areas is still being investigated.
Location of leopard populations within protected areas (size of protected area):
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(1) |
Madhu Road Sanctuary (26,677 hectares) |
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(2) |
Giant’s Tank Sanctuary |
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(3) |
Wilpattu N.P. (131, 693.9 hectares) |
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(4) |
Somawathie Chaitiya N.P. (37, 762.2 hectares) |
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(5) |
Wasgamuwa N.P. (36, 948 hectares) |
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(6) |
Naval Headquarters Sanctuary (18, 130 hectares) |
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(7) |
Minneriya N.P. (8 890 hectares) |
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(8) |
Kaudulla N.P. (6, 656 hectares) |
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(9) |
Ritigala Strict Natural Reserve (1, 528.1 hectares) |
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(10) |
Sigiriya Sanctuary (5, 099.2 hectares) |
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(11) |
Maduru Oya N. P. (58, 849.8 hectares) |
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(12) |
Knuckles Range Conservation Area |
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(13) |
Victoria-Randenigala-Rantambe N.P. (42, 088.8 hectares) |
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(14) |
Gal Oya N.P. (62, 936 hectares) |
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(15) |
Lahugala-Kitulana N.P. (1, 554 hectares) |
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(16) |
Piduratalagala Sanctuary |
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(17) |
Hakgala Strict Natural Reserve (1, 141.6 hectares) |
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(18) |
Peak Wilderness Sanctuary (22, 379.9 hectares) |
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(19) |
Horton Plains N.P. (3, 159.8 hectares) |
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(20) |
Uda Walawe N.P. (30, 821 hectares) |
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(21) |
Sinharaja Forest Reserve (18, 899 hectares) |
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(22) |
Ruhuna (Yala) N.P. (103, 882.9 hectares) |
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(23) |
Yala Strict Natural Reserve (28, 905.7 hectares) |
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(24) |
Lunuganwehera N.P. (29, 000 hectares) |
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(25) |
Bundala N.P. (6, 216 hectares) |
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(26) |
Yala East N.P. (18, 148.2 hectares) |
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(27) |
Dunumadalawa Forest Reserve (480 hectares) |
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(28) |
Katagamuwa Sanctuary (1, 004 hectares) |
Location of confirmed populations outside protected areas:
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(29) |
Nilaveli, Trincomalee District |
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(30) |
Hingurankgoda, Polonnaruwa District |
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(31) |
Kandalama, Matale District |
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(32) |
Pupuressa, Kandy District |
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(33) |
Arugam Bay, Ampara District |
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(34) |
Galaha, Kandy District |
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(35) |
Agarapatana, Nuwara Eliya District |
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(36) |
Avissawela, Colombo District |
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(37) |
Galgedewala, Matale District |
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(38) |
Rakwana, Ratnapura District |
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(39) |
Buduruwagala, Moneragala District |
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(40) |
Hiniduma (Mount Haycock area), Kalutara and Galle Districts |
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(41) |
Bogawantalwa, Nuwara Eliya District |
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(42) |
Mepilimana, Nuwara Eliya District |
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(43) |
Illuvankulam, Puttalam District |
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(44) |
Sigiriya-Habarana cross roads, Polonnaruwa District |
Actual population size within these areas is unknown with the exception of Block I of Ruhuna (Yala) National Park where a detailed study has recently been completed (Kittle & Watson 2002). The 127- km²-study area in this arid zone scrub jungle habitat contains a total population of 45 leopards inclusive of residents, transients and cubs. The adult resident population was determined to be 19.25 (4 males and 15.25 females) with a density of 6.1/100 Km². The same researchers have also investigated and confirmed that a small leopard population (approx 5 individuals) at the Dunumadalawa forest reserve (Reserve area only ~ 5-7 km2), which exists within the Kandy city limits, Kandy District is resident.
Appendix
Extent of Occurrence (EO) and Area of Occupancy (AO)
Both the EO and the AO as mentioned in the above report are still being investigated. The EO (37 650 sq.km2) is a more complete picture as our island wide surveys confirm these boundaries. However as the AO needs in-depth investigation, which is ongoing, the areas indicated are a minimum (11 000 sq.km2). The attached map (Map 2) illustrates the overall picture of distribution in Sri Lanka and the minimum Area of Occupancy that is known to date.
The shaded areas indicate protected areas with known leopard populations while the X indicates the known areas of leopard populations outside these protected areas.
Note: The Northern parts of the Island are underrepresented, as our research is still limited in these areas due to the ongoing civil conflict.
References:
Kittle, A.M. and A.C. Watson, 2002. Homerange, Demography and Behaviour of the Sri Lankan Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya), Block I Ruhunu (yala) National Park. Department of Wildlife Conservation and Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Biodiversity Secretariat. Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Kittle, A. M. and A. C. Watson, 2004. Distribution and Status of the Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) – A Short Report. Cat News Vol. 41:12-15.
Kittle, A.M and A.C. Watson, (in edit). Demograhy and Homerange of an Arid zone Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) Population in Sri Lanka.
Miththapala, S., J. Seidenstiker, and S.J. O’Brian. 1996 Phylogeographic subspecies recognition in leopards (Panthera pardus): molecular genetic variation. Conservation Biology 4:1115-1132
Phillips, W.W.A. 1935 (revised 1980). Manual of the Mammals of Ceylon. Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka.
Santiapillai, C.1986. On the status and conservation of the leopard, (Panthera pardus) in Sri Lanka. International Leopard Studbook. Riverbanks Zoological Park, Columbia, SC: 3-9.
Santiapillai, C., M. R. Chambers and N. Ishwaran. 1982. The Leopard Panthera pardus fusca in the Ruhuna National Park, Sri Lanka, and observations relevant to its conservation. Biological Conservation 23:5-14
Uphyrkina O., Johnson W. E., Quigley, H., Miquelle, D, Marker, L., Bush, M and S.J.O’Brian. 2001. Phylogenetics, genome diversity and origin of modern leopard, Panthera pardus. Molecular Ecology 10, 2617-263 |
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