Hi! I’m Ankesh a Sri Lankan Leopard!

Sri Lankan leopards are highly adaptable. They are found in a range of habitat types, through from different kinds of forest, to grasslands and even in tea plantations and home gardens! They are effective hunters and take a variety of different prey items. They mostly prefer small deer, but will also eat wild boar, hare, monkeys, birds and even crabs and insects. This flexibility has allowed them to survive in a range of environments across Sri Lanka.

Less than 1000 Sri Lankan leopards are left in the wild. This is due mainly to conflict with humans – human encroachment into leopard habitat, hunting of animals that come too close to human areas or interfere with farmers, and poaching for skins and other body parts.

The National Zoo and Aquarium is home to 4 Sri Lankan Leopards; Ankesh and Yakalla and their offspring Asanka and Chatura.