Sri Lanka’s largest protected area, the Wilpattu National Park, recognized as one of the best places in the country to observe leopards in the wild, has long been a favorite among wildlife lovers. Among its most iconic residents is a dominant male leopard affectionately known as Neluma, named after Nelum Vila, a lotus-filled villu, a unique wetland ecosystem, where he was first sighted as a cub.

Over the years, Neluma became a familiar figure in Wilpattu’s central zone, famous for his bold demeanor and remarkable tolerance for safari vehicles. Unlike the other typically elusive leopards (Panthera pardus kotiya), he allowed extended, close-up encounters that thrilled visitors and photographers alike.

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Photo credit: Namal Kamalgoda