Notes on the diet and habitat selection of the Sri Lankan Leopard Panthera pardus kotiya (Mammalia: Felidae) in the central highlands of Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan leopards (Panthera pardus kotiya) exhibit flexible hunting strategies and habitat preferences in the fragmented central highlands, where they target a diverse range of prey—from large species like sambar deer to specialized smaller ones such as porcupines—without relying on domestic animals despite human proximity. Fecal analysis revealed no predation on dogs, suggesting atypical behavior compared to other regions. Leopards favor dense undergrowth and tall grasslands over open forests or pine plantations, likely due to avoidance of human activity. This study highlights the need for landscape-level conservation strategies beyond protected areas, addressing critical knowledge gaps in one of the world's most endangered leopard populations.

Kittle, A. M., Watson, A. C., Kumara, P. H. S. C., Sandanayake, S. D. K. C., Sanjeewani, H. K. N., & Fernando, T. S. P. (2014). Notes on the diet and habitat selection of the Sri Lankan Leopard Panthera pardus kotiya (Mammalia: Felidae) in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 6(9), 6214–6221. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.o3731.6214-21