The expansion of man, even post-independence, has resulted in a small and fragmented habitat in the clouds. In Sri Lanka, Horton Plains National Park is one of the most well-known and often visited locations.
The English explorers visited a high-elevation plateau in the central highlands. This plateau is Sri Lanka’s largest species of deer and many other natural wonders. It’s revealed a land lost in time, of misty rolling plains, home to vast herds of Sambhur.
Maya Kingdom
Horton plains are all that remains of the once vast expanse of the “Maya Rata” or the Maya Kingdom, named by the ancient kings of old, a land filled with deep, dense forests and misty highlands. It’s respected and preserved as an important region as the headwaters of three of Sri Lanka’s major rivers, the Mahaweli, Kelani, and Walawe. Over time, with the colonization of the island by the British, these once sacred and protected lands were cleared out to grow coffee and, after that, tea. The once pristine “cloud forests” were now covered in green tea fields. What remained of most of the wildlife, from elephants, leopards, bears, and much more, either died out or moved down to the lowlands.
With an average elevation of 2000-2300 meters above Sea Level, these lands were once home to large herds of elephants, but over time with constant hunting, the giants of the land were either wiped out entirely or driven down to the lowlands.
Birdlife in Horton Plains
And yet, what remains is truly wondrous. The plant life is unlike any other on the island, with most trees, shrubs, and plants found here endemic to Sri Lanka. These highlands have many unique endemic, resident, and migrating birdlife.
Many of the island’s endemic birds are found here, including the Sri Lanka Scaly Thrush, Dull Blue Fly Catcher, and Yellow Eared Bulbul. The most sought-after and equally highly elusive are the Sri Lanka Bush Warbler and the legendary Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush, also known as the “Arrenga.”
Horton Plains is one of Sri Lanka’s most visited tourist sites and is very popular with local visitors. Namely due to the scenic landscapes, as well as the walk to the “Worlds End View Point,” a sheer cliff point at one corner of the park, which showcases stunning views as far as the eyes can see, as well as Bakers Falls, named after the notorious English hunter Sir Samuel Baker.
The grasses on the open plains are vital grazing grounds for Sambhur, the largest deer species in Sri Lanka. And among the grass and the dense forests lies a secret predator. The Sri Lankan Leopard is the undisputed king of these plains. And yet, many do not know of their existence.
The Horton Plains Leopards
The leopards seem large and have broader facial structures than their lowland counterparts. The cold weather and abundance of high-quality protein in the form of Sambhur may have resulted in these physiological changes.
Despite their size, the tall grass easily conceals their presence as they can quickly crouch and stalk. It emerges through these tussocks without detection by a man or Sambhur.
These mysterious predators venture down to the villages and towns lower down, seeking easy livestock from time to time, such as goats, chickens, and even village dogs.
In Sri Lanka, often seen on the fringes of the forest edge, these cats use these areas as good vantage points. Further, any unusual blobs or color variations in the grass must be monitored closely. The best evidence of their presence is the alarm calls of the Sambhur and the Purple-Faced Leaf Monkeys. Sometimes these animals give out the alarm if they get a smell of the leopards’ presence rather than a visual. Predicting their location based on these alarm calls is a challenge. Further, Sambhur’s behaviors, such as the tail being raised or foot stopping, are signs they are alarmed.
Catching a glimpse of Leopard’s
Catching a glimpse of, let alone a good photograph of, these elusive big cats is an almost impossible task. And yet, for those with experience and a good pair of “eyes,” luck can occasionally run in one’s favor.
If one is truly lucky, the drives are up and down between Pattipola and Ohiya. These entrances can allow you to find a leopard crossing the road right before you. These are extremely rare and once-in-a-lifetime encounters. Usually, they are so sudden that one takes a few seconds to catch one’s bearings and mostly no time to photograph.
Research published by Webb et al. In 2020, a camera trap study showed density estimates of 10-15 leopards per 39 square miles.
One of the last wilderness refuges in the island’s mountains, Horton Plains remains a fragile and sensitive ecosystem. Therefore requires stringent protection and conservation efforts to preserve it for future generations.
Discover the thrill of tracking leopards in Sri Lanka’s stunning wilderness. Explore to learn more about the best places to spot these magnificent creatures during your adventure with Zitango Travel.
