Photography by: Nandun Hewapathirana Kumana National Park and Sri Lankan Leopards Kumana National Park, also known as Yala East National Park, is a protected area in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. It covers an area of over 35,000 hectares and is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including several endangered species. One of the most iconic and charismatic species found in Kumana National Park is the Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya), which is a subspecies of the leopard that is endemic to Sri Lanka. The park is home to a healthy population of these elusive big cats, which are considered to be a flagship species for wildlife conservation in the country. Sri Lankan leopards are apex predators that play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the park. They are mostly solitary and nocturnal animals, and are known for their agility and strength. Their diet primarily consists of prey species such as spotted deer, sambar deer, wild boar, and monkeys. Th
Classification Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Mustelidae Genus: Taxidea Property The American badger has a level body, short legs and a three-sided face with a long facial hair. It has a long earthy colored or dark coat and has white stripes on the cheeks and a line running from the nose to the rear of the head. It has little ears on the sides of the head and long sharp paws in the front.