Based on the study by Kumara, Kittle, Watson, et al. (2026), the Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) demonstrates a remarkable ability to adapt its diet to survive within the human-dominated tea estates of the Upper Kelani River Basin. This research provides critical insights into how this apex predator maintains its role in a landscape where human density is as high as 528 people per square kilometer. This study reveals that leopards living outside protected areas are not just surviving; they are thriving by maintaining a highly diverse and primarily wild diet

The following blog article summarizes the key findings of their research.

By analyzing over 100 leopard scat samples, the researchers determined that these leopards are quintessential “generalists”. Their diet includes at least 17 different prey species, ranging from small rodents to large deer. This variety is a key indicator of their opportunistic nature – they eat what is available in their fragmented habitat.

The black-naped hare was found to be the most frequently consumed animal, appearing in nearly 20% of the samples. Because these hares are abundant in tea estates, they serve as a reliable, consistent food source for the leopards. While small hares are caught often, they don’t provide as much energy as larger prey. Kumara, Kittle, et al. (2026) highlighted the importance of barking deer (muntjac), which contributed more than 20% of the total biomass (nutritional weight) consumed by the leopards.

Surprisingly, primates, specifically the Sri Lanka toque monkey and the purple-faced leaf monkey accounted for 23% of both the frequency and the total biomass of the leopard’s diet. This suggests that leopards may actively seek out monkeys even though they are less common in the open tea fields compared to the forest.

A major concern in human-dominated landscapes is whether leopards primarily target domestic animals, leading to conflict. However, the study found that wild species represented over 85% of the leopard’s diet. Even more significantly, the researchers found that domestic dogs—often thought to be a primary target—were actually moderately avoided relative to how many dogs were available in the area. This indicates that leopards prefer their natural, wild prey when it is available.

The findings by Kumara, Kittle, et al. (2026) underscore a vital lesson for conservation: to keep leopards away from humans and domestic animals, we must protect the wild prey they rely on.

As long as the “estate” landscape maintains healthy populations of barking deer, sambar, and hares, leopards can coexist with the people who work the land. Protecting the small pockets of forest and scrub within these plantations is not just about saving the leopard, but about maintaining the delicate balance of the entire ecosystem.

Read the full paper here