In view of Sri Lanka Leopard Day, which fell yesterday, conservationists urge the country to look beyond the leopard’s beauty and ecological value — and recognize its massive contribution to the economy.

From Yala’s parched trails to the lush hills of the Central Highlands, the Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) powers an entire web of livelihoods. According to the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS), the loss of a single leopard can cost the country an estimated Rs. 41 million in lost revenue — a sobering figure that highlights the animal’s importance far beyond protected areas.

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