WILDCATS & OTHER WILDLIFE

Rusty Spotted Cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus)

The rusty-spotted cat is the smallest cat in the world, found in Sri Lanka’s monsoonal forests and the central highlands. These nocturnal wild cats use the same pathways as the leopard and are thus quite common in photo captures across most of WWCTs study sites. The photo captures of this cat increased in 2023 and it remains the most frequently detected of the small wild cats. 

Distribution: Present in pockets throughout Sri Lanka and India. 

Status: Endangered (National Conservation Status); Vulnerable (Global Conservation Status) 

Jungle Cat (Felis chaus)

The jungle cat is the largest of the Felis genus. These cats are pale brown in color, with their distinguishing feature being their tufted ears. Although small prey forms its diet it is strong enough to bring down an axis deer fawn. 

Despite their name, jungle cats are not found in tropical rainforests, but in grasslands and tropical dry forests. This preference for grasslands allows them to inhabit the “chena” zone of the dry zone study sites of Yala Buffer Zone, Sigiriya and Gal Oya. 

​Distribution: Found throughout Sri Lanka. Internationally it has a wide but patchy distribution from Egypt to south west Asia to Central and tropical Asia; the Caspian region and the Caucuses of Europe. 

Status: Near Threatened (National Conservation Status); Least Concern (Global Conservation Status)

 Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus)

As the name suggests, the fishing cat can be found near man-made ponds and lakes on the estates surrounding Elbedda Ridge, where there are plenty of fish to catch. With partially webbed feet, they are good swimmers, feeding on fish, crustaceans, small reptiles and mammals. 

In the past two years, they have been detected in most of WWCTs current study sites except in the Yala buffer zone. This is concerning as their presence has been previously recorded and they should be residing here given the various man-made lakes and waterholes dotting the buffer zone. Their lack of detection could mean reduced numbers due to habitat change but this is something that requires more investigation for confirmation.

Distribution: Throughout Sri Lanka, Northeastern India, Southeast Asia and small populations on the Indonesian island of Java. 

Status: Vulnerable (IUCN Red List)

Sloth bears (Ursus ursinus inornatus)

Sloth bears are found in the dry zones of Sri Lanka, climbing trees and feeding on termites, ants, and various fruits. As shown in many of WWCT’s photo-captures in the Yala Buffer Zone, it appears that sloth bears too are now falling victim to the threat of snares.

Distribution: Found in the Dry and Arid zones of Sri Lanka.

Status: Vulnerable (IUCN)

Purple-faced langur (Semnopithacus vetulus)

Purple-faced langurs are endemic to Sri Lanka and inhabit the lush canopies of various forests, from montane forests to tropical rainforests. As such, deforestation has led to a rapid loss of their habitat–they are now critically endangered.

Distribution: In recent years, WWCT has detected the purple-faced langur across all of its current study sites.

Status: Critically Endangered (IUCN)

Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata)

The Indian Pangolin inhabits the grasslands and tropical forests of Sri Lanka, feeding on termites and ants. The Indian Pangolin is one of the most heavily trafficked animals in the world due to demand for their meat and scales. In spite of this we are thankful to note that they are still being detected across many of our study sites.

Distribution: Throughout the lowlands of Sri Lanka, up to 1,100 meters in elevation, with high concentrations in the North-western, North-central, South-western, and South-eastern parts.

Status: Endangered (IUCN)

Toque Macaque (Macaca sinica)

The Toque Macaque is endemic to Sri Lanka and can often be sighted around temples and human habitation in larger troops, due to availability of food scraps in garbage piles, which is an unhealthy option for them. 

Distribution: Their natural habitat is the various forest types found in both the dry and wet zones and we have documented them across our study sites in the varying habitats.

Status: Endangered (IUCN)