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.

RAMSAR Wetlands of Sri Lanka

In the whole world, only 34 places have the richest variety of life on earth. Biodiversity hot spots.
Wild places that cover just 2.3% of the Earth's surface. Home to 75% of the planet's most threatened mammals, birds and amphibians. And Sri Lanka is one of them. Home to 6 RAMSAR Wetlands and hundreds of threatened species. An island so wild, free and inspiring.

The 6 Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance in Sri Lanka

1. Annaiwilundawa Tanks Sanctuary
2. Bundala Flora & Fauna Sanctuary
3. Kumana National Park Wetland Cluster 
4. Maduganga Mangrove Lagoon
5. Vankalai Sanctuary
6. Wilpattu National Park Wetland Cluster

The signature 'Birding Safari' by Ayu in the Wild visits four of the six Sites*.

The Convention on Wetlands came into force for Sri Lanka on 15 October 1990. Sri Lanka presently has 6 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance, with a surface area of 198,172 hectares. (All information: www.ramsar.org) (Images: www.ayuinthewild.com) For details of each RAMSAR Site..

All things wild...

The 'Peacock Blue' -  one of my favourite colours!

Being out on the road, trekking, finding off beat paths and training our Guides haven't left us with much time to keep the blog up todate. We've also been busy setting up some videos of our travels which can be viewed on the +Ayu in the Wild Safaris, Sri Lanka YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRNg5tiCz1uzHg5yyrWhRSQ/about
.

THE GATHERING
The season for 'the Gathering' is now well underway and we've done a clip to celebrate the migration of these wonderful mammals from across the drought stricken North Central Province, to the beautiful Minneriya Tank.  Take a look at the clip to see the wonderful experiential safari offered by +Ayu in the Wild Safaris, Sri Lanka where you learn about the behaviour of these mammals, their migratory routes and even trek along hidden elephant corridors.

SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT Ayu in the Wild
Thank you to +Safarious for selecting us as 'One of the Members Worth Checking Out' https://www.safarious.com/en.  Sometimes, you wonder why you spend so much time writing updates, finding that one perfect title and image...I guess, its worth it when you're appreciated and recognized - thank you Safarious!

Green Bea-eater - Yala

Life as a Jungle-farmer

The real Sri Lanka through the eyes of the locals.

Ask anyone who has been on safari with us and they wouldn't deny that community interactions are part of the best memories they have of their safari with Ayu in the Wild.  http://ayuinthewild.com/p7.php

A jungle-farmer's life is tough! Waking up before dawn to collect water, set out to work on the field before the sun becomes unbearably hot and as the day ends, gather firewood before heading home.

Most often, 'Paddy-farmers' (who grow rice)  close to wild Elephant corridors need to stay awake on all-night vigils. Sitting in a tiny watch hut, vulnerable, in the middle of his field or maybe high up on a tree with just a faint light for company. Despite electric fences that are meant to be a deterrent, Elephants still break through, keeping logs on the fence and stepping over! At night, intermittently, each farmer yells out to the other in the next field - a simple tracking mechanism to ensure no one has fallen asleep or come to any harm.

On safari a few weeks ago, we spent some incredible moments with a jungle-farmer and his family experiencing how to cook-like-the-locals-in-the-wild.

We picked vegetables off his plot and helped cook five curries on an open fire of three bricks. Ever tasted prawns grilled on a banana leaf over a wood-fired bbq of sorts? 

After a long safari ride we visited them again as night approached - just to chat about their day and ours. They had even lit a campfire! The jungle-farmers' life is one of incredibly hard work. Yet, they can be the most hospitable people you will ever meet. Talk to them and they never fail to smile!

As the night became cooler from the breeze wafting through the vast lake in front of their tiny clay, wattle and daub hut, our day out on safari came to a perfect end.

If you would like to travel on an experiential wildlife safari contact us on info@ayuinthewild.com

For +It's a Wild, Wild World +Beautiful planet Earth +Amazing Places to See +Explorations 

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

Collard Scops Owl and her young, Wilpattu, Sri Lanka

The inspiration for our logo and a beautiful specimen. 

 Images taken inside the Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka. 

To make it even more exciting, she happened to be babysitting her young in the tree-hole just beneath her! Will never forget the wide eyed looks of the youngsters....

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

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