[Pan = Bulrush plants, Wala = waterhole]
Pan Wala 2:2 male was born somewhere around May/June 2017 along with his brother Pan Wala 3:3 male, near Kotābendi Wewa. Their mother is the Kotābendi Wewa 1:2 female. They were first recorded in September 2017, at the Thelambugas Wala area.
As cubs, the duo was mostly seen and photographed around the areas of Thalgasmankada, Pan Wala, Kotābendi Wewa, Komā Wewa, and near Ehela Wala of Medha Pāra.
Since March 2019, he was sighted around Digan Wala after separating from his mother. On the 31st of March 2019, he was seen at Digan Wala, sharing a kill with the Mōdharagala 3:4 male and the Yāla Junction 2:2 female.
In early May 2019, he was seen around Digan Wala again. Since April 2019, the Pan Wala 2:2 male and the Mōdharagala 3:4 male have been noted, interacting with the Suduwelimulla family of females (Mother and female cub). These two males shared a few kills with the ladies of Suduwelimulla.
He was seen returning to Thelambugas Wala (which is his home turf) on April 6th, 2019. On May 16th, 2019, he was sighted again at the Suduwelimulla Lagoon. He was noted entering Digan Wala in the evening to slake his thirst (Suduwelimulla Lagoon and Digan Wala are within close proximity).
On 30th May 2019, the Mōdharagala 3:4 male and the Pan Wala 2:2 male joined forces and successfully hunted an axis deer at Digan Wala, a team-up that was quite unusual. A short while later, the Suduwelimulla 3:3 female joined the two lads to partake in the feast.
In February 2020, around the Kotasiyabale area, there was a serious brawl between the Mōdharagala 3:4 male and the Pan Wala 2:2 male. Pan Wala 2:2 male quickly seized the initiative and asserted his dominancy over the Mōdharagala 3:4 male.
During the time of lockdown which was imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19 (April – June 2020), the Yāla junction 2:2 female was observed with the Pan Wala 2:2 male by the Sri Lanka Rupavāhini Corporation film crew. In late June 2020, both leopards were still observed together. Sometimes, the Suduwelimulla 3:3 female (the daughter) was observed socializing with the Yāla Junction 2:2 female.
On July 10th, 2020, quite an interesting thing happened. The Pan Wala male was seen with the Suduwelimulla 3:2 male (Sella). There were no tell-tale signs of a scuffle but it didn’t seem like they were on good terms either (According to some observers, there had been a fight). The Suduwelimulla male was comparatively bigger and stronger than the Pan Wala male but after that incident, the Suduwelimulla male wasn’t to be seen in that area. But the Pan Wala male continued to appear in the same area like nothing happened.
Thereafter, after a few days, he was seen mating with the Suduwelimulla 3:3 female at Kotasiyabale. In August 2020, he had several successful hunts (deer and buffalo calves) around the Kotasiyabale and Digan Wala areas.
At the end of August 2020, he was seen with a deep laceration on his nose. (Around the same time, the Suduwelimulla male was seen at Ruk Vila with a similar type of wound).
He spent a few days resting in Suduwelimulla. On the 4th and 5th of September 2020, he was seen with the Suduwelimulla 3:3 female, close to the first water hole of Medha Pāra. Though the female was observed trying to coax him into the mood, no mating was observed.
To recap, at the end of 2020, he was holding territory at Kotasiyabale, Andhun Oruwa, Yāla Wewa, River Road, Suduwelimulla, Gōnalahaba Ground and Medha Pāra (up to Rawum Wala).
All these events converge on the fact that the Pan Wala 2:2 male was quickly climbing up the ladder with his infectious charm, and irresistible good looks, all bound together with a daring can-do attitude.
In March and April 2021, he was seen with a new partner, Rakina Wala 3:3 Female around his territory. From time to time he was seen with both Rakina Wala female and Suduwelimulla 3:3 female.
Pan Wala male completely controlled his territory over the next two years (2022 & 2023), despite some challenges from Modhara Gala male (from Kotasiyabala & Andhun Oruwa side) and Adiseeya 1:1 male (Rukwila side).
Over the years, his confidence towards the safari vehicle has grown to the point where he was even observed licking the tires (sighting in December 2023). However, the Pan Wala male is a truly exceptional specimen of a leopard with distinct characteristics. Additionally, he has allowed us to get a closer look at the leopards’ covert way of life.
Yala Leopard Diary database – https://yalaleoparddiary.com/identified-leopard-result/YM16 https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.139277976761725&type=3
