Sri Lanka – Leopards of Yala

Follow the trials and tribulations of a group of leopards in Yala National Park.

Yala in Sri Lanka has one of the highest leopard densities in the world. Among them is an alpha-male leopard known as Lucas. Lucas is the king of Yala. But he has challengers – Michael and Jerry, who commands a neighboring territory of the park. Though Lucas is a loner, Jerry has fathered quite a number of cubs. With no paternal responsibilities other than to feed himself and mark his territory, Jerry is a carefree father. When it comes to child-rearing, leopardess Selena does most of the work – she takes her cub with her while marking territory or hunting, all the while imparting essential life lessons. A Sloth Bear also roams around the park – he’s enjoying the wet season since it’s a good chance for him to break into termite mounds. Even though he’s more than capable of fighting a leopard, the bear avoids confrontation with Lucas. But Lucas also knows better than to fight a Sloth Bear and risk injury. As the seasons change, new challenges emerge. Lucas will continue to be the king of Yala for the foreseeable future, but as the new cubs grow and mature, they will one day become the heirs to the throne of Yala.