Give Leopards their territory!

Planning on a big cat safari in Sri Lanka? Here's what you need to be mindful of...

The wilds of the Sri Lankan jungles, belong to the wildlife

Untrained safari drivers in Sri Lanka are known to overcrowd an animals territory

The Sri Lanka Leopard (Panthera Pardus Kotiya) is the largest carnivore in the island and the top most predator with no competition from other predators such as tigers or lions. (Although reference to Lions in Sri Lanka's history, the flag, stories of legend & folklore point to their likely existence thousands of years ago). As a result, the Sri Lankan Leopard is  much bolder than in other habitats across Asia or Africa. Spending more time on open roads and jeep tracks, on the ground, stalking without much cover and in daylight.

Think before you book your safari holiday in Sri Lanka....

• Book your safari through respected agents that offer professional Guides & jeep drivers - not only will you enjoy learning about the wildlife in Sri Lanka but your Guide will ensure the territory of an animal is respected.
• Ask for experienced Trackers. Be aware that Trackers allocated to your jeep from the Wildlife Department may not be the most trained and knowledgeable Guides - you may need to remind them of Park Rules - especially of not speeding towards an animal sighting.
• Don't get too close! Be aware that Jeep drivers who tout for work are not trained to respect wildlife and more often than not, will overcrowd an animal - please give wildlife their space and zoom in for the best images.
• Ask for a 4WD safari vehicle. Although the traditional Land Rover jeeps with seating to the sides may not look as comfortable as the newer jeeps with raised seating - they are much safer to travel in and more often than not driven by experienced safari drivers who know the terrain well. The old fashioned Land Rover jeeps can also handle rougher terrain than the new jeeps so you get to explore the more unexplored habitats.

Sri Lankan Leopard has adapted well to different habitats

The Sri Lankan cat has adapted well to different habitats - from the riverine ecosystems in Wilpattu National Park to the more scrub jungles and open plains of Yala and Kumana National Parks. With many small lakes making up their 'home-range' the Sri Lankan Leopard roams freely around the perimeters of each lake to feed on the resident animals of deer, sambhur, wildboar, grey langurs and the occasional buffalo calf. This 'roaming' from one lake to another also provides great opportunities for safari-goers to get their one-great-big-cat photo! 

Be a responsible wildlife tourist  - zoom in from a distance to get that top shot..

Do remember, that the wilds belong to the wildlife. We're merely visitors in their territory.

Give Leopards their territory - Yala Sri Lanka

Top 5 Ayu in the Wild safari experiences in 2014!

#1 Best of African & Asian wildlife

Lion Cubs - Southern Africa

Sri Lanka
one of the world's best destinations
for Leopards

African & Asian wildlife:  A 15 Day wildlife encounter through Asia & Africa - as part of one professionally guided photographic safari experience!  
Two weeks of privately guided safari drives, bushwalks and night drives that will leave you spellbound with the contrasts and similarities of Asian wildlife & in Southern Africa! Enquire info@ayuinthewild.com +wildlifephotography

#2 A Classroom in the Wild

Learning the difference
between Asian & African Ele's

Understanding the
habitats of Waders

A Classroom in the Wild: Treasure hunts! Mud-on-your-hands! Belly crawls! Nature Crowns! Nurture a love of nature in your kids...and everything wild in between: big animals, small mammals, insects, birds, trees, plants and even poop!! 

Our Junior Rangers safari for kids from 4 days to 7 days in jungle-tucked Eco Lodges and Campsites. Exciting bushwalks, tree-planting activities and safari drives in 4x4 jeeps with on-safari discussions on wildlife interpretation. Enquire  info@ayuinthewild.com  +Vacation Idea

#3 Migrants of the Wilderness

Migrants of the wilderness: A seasonal tour of 8-15 days from December to February each year. Explorations by jeep, foot and boat along the best routes of the migrant Sperm Whales, Blue Whales & Spinner Dolphins in Kalpitiya and the hundreds of Waders & Greater Flamingos across Mannar in Northern Sri Lanka. Top it off with exciting 4x4 safari drives in our largest national park as we stalk after predators and prey around the beautiful sand rimmed water basins of Wilpattu NP or  our most wildlife rich habitat -Yala NP.  Enquire info@ayuinthewild.com   +BIRD LOVERS Worldwide +HQSP Birds +CATS all over the World 

#4 Gourmet in the Wild

Al fresco dining
deep in the heart of the bush

Sea-food at one of
San Pellegrino's Asia's Best 50
Restaurants

Gourmet in the Wild - Culinary Adventures from 3 days to 3 weeks to explore the best of cuisine across wild Sri Lanka and it all starts with some inspired fine dining in award winning restaurants of Colombo. On safari, you will pick the best of local produce from farmers markets or before it even gets there...off the soil, in the jungle farmers farm!  In between safari drives and bushwalks try your hand at rustling up dishes which are the local favourites in each province. Wilderness cuisine  and al-fresco dining have never been this exciting! Enquire info@ayuinthewild.com  +Food Network +Culinary Travel +FoodTravel 

#5 Off-peg wildlife trails

Off-peg wildlife Trails: A 2 week tour in July or August each year with off-peg wildlife trails across some less traversed wild habitats in the North central region, central highlands and the east coast. Boating safaris to see elephants on tiny islands that stand isolated within the submerged jungles of a man made lake. Aerial photography on scenic flights. Walking safaris to photograph elusive Tuskers. Tented Camping deep in the remote east coast wilderness. And the finale - the world's 6th greatest animal spectacle (Lonely Planet), the 'Gathering' of hundreds of Asian Elephants at the glorious Minneriya Tank. Enquire info@ayuinthewild.com

Experiential Safaris...redefined

Whether it's on our walking safaris, boating trails on idyllic lakes or exploring the more remote corners in the less-traversed Block II of Yala NP, we prefer to watch wildlife well away from the crowds. Observe & learn about the behaviour of animals, understand their nocturnal habitats and their interactions with humans. See life wind down as the sun sets in the rural heartlands. Our Naturalists and Guides make nature come alive through natural history, culture, folklore and every little thing you see around you, on safari.

Vantage points of the wildlife in srilanka

It's not only the wildlife safari goer who wants to be the first to 'spot' some unusual behaviour, a quick movement in the undergrowth or the distant blur of a swift-footed wild animal. In the wild, it can mean the difference between survival ...or not! 'Vantage Points' is our collection of wildlife images captured around our incredibly exciting wildlife parks that have captured the intensity of each animal in getting the best 'spot' to scour for food, catch a bit of sun, attract it's mate  or simply to survive!

On our safaris, we look at a different angle! How do animals behave? What do they do to live and survive? What makes them tick? And we learn all of this on foot, by boat and in safari jeeps. Our safaris are really Experiential adventure tours in the wild.  So out of the ordinary!

Talk to us about your tour in srilanka.
www.ayuinthewild.com
info@ayuinthewild.com
We're also on G+ and Twitter

If you are into +Beautiful planet Earth looking for +Amazing Places to See and love +Wildlife Worldwide +wildlifephotography or are a part of the community at +HQSP Birds +HQSP Animals +HQSP Landscape +Birds in Focus +BIRD LOVERS Worldwide who want a safari to be out of the ordinary, then this one is for you!

A Leopard NEVER loses sight of his next meal!

A lesson in concentration.

It was thrilling to see the stealth and skill of a Sri Lankan Leopard, not really stalking but  more, 'eyeing' its prey. Albeit a rather big one. The short undergrowth and the fallen tree a perfect point to sit and observe.

A quick survey of its surroundings, just to get his bearings and possibly to check for any threats. Obviously this one didn't mind a bit of a fight, judging by the battle scar on his stomach.

Always on the lookout...and always settling in nicely at a vantage point.

Maybe this wasn't the perfect vantage point after all.

He moved away quickly, stealthily to a different log. A different vista. An open grassy plain with a fairly large tank of water. An even more comfortable log than the previous one and under the shade of a large 'maliththan' tree. A far better view.

 And more importantly, that's where the Buffalo was heading to.

Relaxed and prepared to wait. But never losing sight of possibly his next meal!

Quite frankly I don't think it was hungry enough to take on the wild Buffalo and his stomach did look quite full. Leopards generally prefer smaller and more manageable prey species like Wild Boar, Deer, Sambur, Grey Languar .......but you never know. This Leopard never took his eyes away from the frighteningly large Buffalo. Not even when we drove away.

The next day, we headed out once more on safari, hoping to see a Leopard kill, a carcass, but no luck. As we drove around the sun hid behind a few clouds. Not great lighting for photography we thought. And then suddenly, we heard a Grey Languar calling out in alarm. High up on a tree was our friend, with the battle scar on his stomach, still looking, still searching.

Our safaris are not just about what wildlife you see.
It's about how you see life in the wild.

If you're into +NATURE  wildlife in a +Monochrome World  or are a part of the +Wildlife Worldwide  +It's a Wild, Wild World +UK Photography Community +CATS all over the World +HQSP Animals   and especially into +Amazing Places to See then do join us in #srilanka