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An aging leopard’s suffering sparks ethical debate in Sri Lanka
23 Jul 2025Asia
In Sri Lanka, the fate of an aging, injured leopard, well-loved by tourists, has triggered a debate. Wildlife enthusiasts are urging authorities to help the leopard, named Neluma, in Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka’s largest protected area. However, wildlife officials and conservationists are against intervening and providing veterinary support, Mongabay contributor Malaka Rodrigo reported in June.
Neluma has long been a favorite of visitors and photographers at Wilpattu. Over the years, he’s become known for his tolerance for vehicles, which means he was often spotted during safari tours.
Now more than 10 years old, Neluma has shown not just signs of aging but also injuries. Besides a large bump on his belly, believed to be a hernia, Rodrigo reports that Neluma was injured during a buffalo herd’s counterattack after a failed attempt to hunt a buffalo calf. He was recently spotted limping. Another video showed a domestic dog fighting back and escaping from Neluma — something that would have been unlikely in the leopard’s prime.
“Neluma is more than a wild animal as he is an icon of Wilpattu and a symbol of Sri Lanka’s natural heritage. He deserves care in his time of need,” Wasiri Rasu Gajaman, a medical professional and wildlife photographer, told Rodrigo.
But conservationists and wildlife officials disagree. Namal Kamalgoda, an independent environmental activist, said that if Neluma is taken away for temporary treatment, younger male leopards may take over his territory.
“At his age, he won’t be able to reclaim it, which would make his survival even more difficult,” Kamalgoda said. “In nature, countless leopards die young. Are we to intervene only when the animal is well known? Ultimately, the unwritten rule in the jungle is survival of the fittest.”
Rukshan Jayewardene, a leading conservationist, told Mongabay that while helping an aging leopard is an act of compassion, it can have unintended consequences, including increased human interaction and conflicts, as was seen recently in the case of a tiger killing a forest ranger in India.
Tharaka Prasad, director of wildlife health at Sri Lanka’s Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), said his office would not intervene. “Neluma is an old leopard and tranquilizing him would be risky. Treating apex predators is not like treating a domestic animal as you need to monitor them through recovery and plan for their rehabilitation, which also demands substantial resources.”
Moreover, Sri Lanka only has 15 wildlife veterinarians, Prasad said, which means the department prioritizes cases of human-wildlife conflict.
“We face serious ethical dilemmas on a daily basis … As wildlife managers, we’re not supposed to intervene in natural cases. But as veterinarians, we cannot turn away from wounded animal brought to us, regardless of the cause,” he said, referring to cases when villagers or wildlife officers call on them after breaking up fights between rival elephants.
Read Malaka Rodrigo’s full story here.
Banner image of Neluma in Sri Lanka’s Wilpattu National Park. Image courtesy of Namal Kamalgoda.
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife working to euthanize at least another wolf from troubled Copper Creek pack
CPW staff has been trying to kill a wolf for several days, due to the pack repeatedly killing livestock, according to a letter obtained by 9NEWS Investigates.
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Author: Aaron Adelson
Published: 3:12 PM MDT July 28, 2025
Updated: 9:45 PM MDT July 28, 2025
PITKIN COUNTY, Colo. — Colorado Parks and Wildlife has been trying to kill a wolf, or wolves, from the Copper Creek pack in the Pitkin County area for about a week, according to a letter obtained by 9NEWS Investigates.
“After the additional depredation confirmed on July 18, the Division is undertaking additional lethal control efforts. Staff have been in the area since Sunday, July 20th attempting to locate the wolves. As you are aware, the terrain is challenging at best, and staff have not been able to get close to the wolves after multiple attempts. Staff will continue to monitor locations and attempt to intervene if possible,” a letter from CPW to the Holy Cross Cattlemen’s Association (HCCA) reads.
The letter was signed on July 25. HCCA requested a permit to lethally remove a wolf, or wolves, due to the wolves repeatedly killing livestock. The letter was in response to the association.
“CPW’s actions in this very difficult case are designed to ensure that wolves and packs that are targeting natural prey such as wild ungulates serve as the foundation for a sustainable population in Colorado,” a CPW spokesperson told 9NEWS.
CPW denied the association’s request because the letter essentially states CPW employees are working to kill a wolf. CPW’s leaders decided to move forward with lethal removal after CPW determined wolves killed a calf in Pitkin County. The calf was found dead on July 18, but a CPW spokesperson said they don’t know exactly when the calf was killed.
“I acknowledge that this remains an extremely difficult situation and appreciate the continued partnership,” CPW Northwest Region Manager Travis Black wrote in the letter.
CPW has already euthanized a member of the Copper Creek pack. Here’s a brief timeline of events this year in Pitkin County:
- CPW determined the pack injured a calf on May 17.
- CPW determined the pack killed a calf on May 23.
- CPW determined the pack injured a calf and killed a calf on May 24.
- CPW determined the pack injured a cow and calf on May 25.
- CPW killed one of the pack members on May 29.
- CPW confirmed wolf depredation on July 18, believing this pack was responsible.
- CPW began lethal removal efforts on July 20.
Because of the wolves repeatedly killing livestock in Grand County last year, CPW took the pack out of the wild. The wolves were in captivity for several months. The state rereleased the pack in Pitkin County in January.
CPW Director Jeff Davis recently said the decision to recapture and rerelease the pack was solely his.
“Do I question the decision that I made every single day? Yes,” Davis told lawmakers on June 30.
HCCA also requested for CPW remove the entire pack from the wild. That request was also denied.
“The Division continues to monitor the pack and may conduct additional lethal removals if they are legally authorized and necessary to change the pack’s behavior. The Division therefore declines to place the pack in captivity,” the letter concludes.
Exposing the Big Game 