From snared to swimming: Some observations on the rescue, treatment, release and monitoring of an injured Sri Lankan leopard ( Panthera pardus kotiya )

A rescued and translocated Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya), the island's apex predator, demonstrated remarkable navigational behavior by swimming across open water to return to its original range within three weeks of release. This was the first GPS radio-collared translocated leopard in Sri Lanka, providing novel insights into post-release movement patterns and the effectiveness of translocation as a conservation strategy. The study involved surgical treatment, rehabilitation, and monitoring over four months before release in a protected area, followed by tracking to assess its survival and behavior. Findings suggest that translocation may not be an optimal solution for snared leopards unless absolutely necessary, given their strong homing instincts.

Kittle, A. M., Watson, A. C., Prasad, T., Pinidiya, M. A., Kumarasiri, A. M. K. N., Kumara, M. A. P. R., Weerasinha, W. M. N. K., Vidura, G. M., de Silva, L. N. A., de Silva, D. D. N., Nizanantha, K., & Hewapathirana, H. D. S. (2025). From snared to swimming: Some observations on the rescue, treatment, release and monitoring of an injured Sri Lankan leopard ( Panthera pardus kotiya ). Ecological Solutions and Evidence, 6(2). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.70029