The true measure of a conservation corridor’s success lies in the stability of its wildlife populations. The PRFC boasts a remarkably stable, breeding population of leopards, defined by generations of resident individuals who call these estates home. After 9 years of monitoring this fridge, we have found that in any given year, 15 to 17 leopards utilize this sanctuary, making it a cornerstone of the Wilderness & Wildlife Conservation Trust’s (WWCT) mission. 

Here are some of the incredible stories captured by WWCT’s remote camera networks this year:

The Matriarchs

Together, OC and Ola have contributed a spectacular 7 litters of cubs to the corridor’s population over the years.

‘OC’

This resident female has been monitored since the project’s inception over 8.5 years ago! She has successfully raised 5 sets of cubs within the corridor. While she has not been spotted on camera since July 2025, her profound impact on the local gene pool remains undeniable.

‘Ola’

Another pillar of the PRFC community, Ola has been tracked at the northern end of the corridor since 2019 (> 6.5 years). Demonstrating the incredible productivity of this habitat, she gave birth to litters back-to-back in both 2024 and 2025.

The Next Generation: Oksana & Kween

‘Oksana’: Proving that the corridor fosters multi-generational success, Oksana is the grand-daughter of the matriarch OC. Easily recognized by her unique broken tail, Oksana established herself in the mid-PRFC region and successfully brought her own cubs into the world in 2025.

‘Kween’: Ruling the southern side of the PRFC, this resident female also added to the corridor’s booming population with 2 new cubs in 2025.

‘Glenna’: A resident in the mid-PRFC area, Glenna has been frequently seen courting a resident male, signaling that even more cubs may be on the horizon.

The Kings of the Ridge

‘Norman’

Currently the longest-monitored resident male on the ridge, Norman has been tracked for 4.5 years. He fiercely guards and ranges across the northern half of the PRFC, regularly courting the resident females.

‘Wedge’

Another dominant male, Wedge actively patrols his territory, making sure the lineage of the PRFC leopards continues strong.

Snares remain one of the most immediate and indiscriminate threats to leopards in Sri Lanka’s unprotected landscapes. However, thanks to the combined efforts of estate personnel and dedicated WWCT teams conducting regular patrols and community outreach, we are incredibly relieved to report that no known leopard individuals were lost to snaring on the PRFC in 2025 and as of 2026

Protecting the current habitat is only half the battle; expanding and enriching it is where the future lies. This year marked massive milestones for habitat restoration within the PRFC:

Dunkeld Estate: The original 7-hectare restoration site was successfully and fully planted with native tree species in early 2025.

Kelani-Braema Estate: Reforestation efforts have officially shifted to a massive 22-hectare section of released tea lands on the southern slope of the ridge.

Sapling Received: In 2025, the team received 1,950 native forest plants belonging to three distinct species. Replanting is well underway, with batches of 350 saplings successfully tucked into the soil in both August and December.

The Peak Ridge Forest Corridor stands as a glowing blueprint for modern conservation: a place where industry, community, and the island’s most magnificent apex predator can share a thriving, wild future.