Anjali Watson

Last updated
Anjali Watson
Born
Sri Lanka
Alma mater The University of Edinburgh, McMaster University
Known forLeopard conservation
SpouseAndrew Kittle [1]
Children2
AwardsWhitley Award 2018. 2022 WFN Continuation Fund
Scientific career
Fields Ecology
Website wwct.org

Anjali Watson is a Sri Lankan conservationist. [2] [3] She is known for her contributions to leopard conservation and founded the Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust, a conservation and research organisation. [4] [5]

Contents

Education

Watson graduated with an Honours degree in Environmental Studies and Geography from McMaster University and holds a Masters of Science in ecology from the University of Edinburgh. [6] Her primary education was at Ladies College, Colombo.

Career

In 2000, she initiated the Leopard Project which is now under the Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust (wwct.org). [7] [8] Watson's work involves understanding the ecology and land-use of leopards and using this knowledge gained to influence landscape level Conservative. Fostering co-existence between humans and leopards (Panthera pardus kotiya) [9] [10] with a current focus in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. [11] [12]

In 2004, she co founded the Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust which is a research for Conservation group that focuses its research on the country's Apex predator, the leopard. WWCT, in addition to investigating leopard diet and prey, behaviour and general biodiversity surveys, collects data through the use of motion censor camera technology [13] to investigate and identify movement corridors and refugia in new unprotected areas of land where leopards survive. [14] [1] [15] WWCT also works within the protected area landscape.

Awards and recognition

In 2018, she won the Whitely Award. [16] [17] and in 2022 she obtained continuation funding from the Whitley Fund for Nature. Watson was featured in the Cosmopolitan Magazine Sri Lanka's inaugural 35 under 35 list. [18] In 2021 she was featured on CNN s call to earth.

Publications

See also

Related Research Articles

A black panther is the melanistic colour variant of the leopard and the jaguar. Black panthers of both species have excess black pigments, but their typical rosettes are also present. They have been documented mostly in tropical forests, with black leopards in Africa and Asia, and black jaguars in South America. Melanism is caused by a recessive allele in the leopard, and by a dominant allele in the jaguar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leopard</span> Large spotted cat native to Africa and Asia

The leopard is one of the five extant species in the genus Panthera. It has a pale yellowish to dark golden fur with dark spots grouped in rosettes. Its body is slender and muscular reaching a length of 92–183 cm (36–72 in) with a 66–102 cm (26–40 in) long tail and a shoulder height of 60–70 cm (24–28 in). Males typically weigh 30.9–72 kg (68–159 lb), and females 20.5–43 kg (45–95 lb).

Panthera is a genus within the family Felidae, and one of two extant genera in the subfamily Pantherinae. It contains the largest living members of the cat family. There are five living species: the jaguar, leopard, lion, snow leopard and tiger, as well as a number of extinct species, including the cave lion and American lion.

The term "big cat" is typically used to refer to any of the five living members of the genus Panthera, namely the tiger, lion, jaguar, leopard, and snow leopard, as well as the non-pantherine cheetah and cougar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sinharaja Forest Reserve</span> UNESCO World Heritage Site

Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a forest reserve and a biodiversity hotspot in Sri Lanka. It is of international significance and has been designated a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">African leopard</span> Leopard subspecies

The African leopard is the nominate subspecies of the leopard, native to many countries in Africa. It is widely distributed in most of sub-Saharan Africa, but the historical range has been fragmented in the course of habitat conversion. Leopards have also been recorded in North Africa as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arabian leopard</span> Subspecies of mammals

The Arabian leopard is the smallest leopard subspecies. It was described in 1830 and is native to the Arabian Peninsula, where it was widely distributed in rugged hilly and montane terrain until the late 1970s. Today, the population is severely fragmented and thought to decline continuously. Previously in 2008, an estimated 45–200 individuals in three isolated subpopulations were restricted to western Saudi Arabia, Oman and Yemen. However, as of 2023, it is estimated that 100–120 in total remains, with 70-84 mature individuals, in Oman and Yemen, and it is possibly extinct in Saudi Arabia. The current population trend is suspected to be decreasing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sri Lankan leopard</span> Leopard subspecies

The Sri Lankan leopard is a leopard subspecies native to Sri Lanka. It was first described in 1956 by Sri Lankan zoologist Paules Edward Pieris Deraniyagala.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian leopard</span> Leopard subspecies

The Indian leopard is a subspecies of the leopard widely distributed on the Indian subcontinent. It is threatened by illegal trade of skins and body parts, and persecution due to human-leopard conflict and retaliation for livestock depredation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zanzibar leopard</span> Leopard population in Zanzibar

The Zanzibar leopard is an African leopard population on Unguja Island in the Zanzibar archipelago, Tanzania, that is considered extirpated due to persecution by local hunters and loss of habitat. It was the island's largest terrestrial carnivore and apex predator. Increasing conflict between people and leopards in the 20th century led to the demonization of the Zanzibar leopard and determined attempts to exterminate it. Efforts to develop a leopard conservation program in the mid-1990s were shelved when wildlife researchers concluded that there was little prospect for the population's long-term survival. In 2018, a leopard was recorded by a camera trap, thus renewing hopes for the population's survival, although some experts remain skeptical.

<i>Panthera pardus tulliana</i> Leopard subspecies

Panthera pardus tulliana, also called Persian leopard,Anatolian leopard, and Caucasian leopard in different parts of its range, is a leopard subspecies that was first described in 1856 based on a zoological specimen found in western Anatolia. It is native to the Iranian Plateau and the surrounding region from eastern Anatolia and the Caucasus to the Hindu Kush, where it inhabits foremost subalpine meadows, temperate broadleaf and mixed forests and rugged ravines at elevations of 600 to 3,800 m. It preys mostly on ungulates reliant on these habitats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parc des Félins</span> Zoo in France

Parc des Félins is a zoological park in France dedicated to the breeding and conservation of wild members of the cat family. It is located in the commune of Lumigny-Nesles-Ormeaux in Seine-et-Marne, about 53.6 km (33.3 mi) southeast of Paris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilpattu National Park</span> National park in Sri Lanka

Wilpattu National Park is a national park in Sri Lanka. The unique feature of this park is the existence of "Willus" – natural, sand-rimmed water basins or depressions that fill with rainwater. Located on the northwest coast lowland dry zone of Sri Lanka, the park is 30 km (19 mi) west of Anuradhapura and 26 km (16 mi) north of Puttalam. The park is 1,317 km2 (508 sq mi) in area and ranges from 0–152 m (0–499 ft) above sea level. Nearly one hundred and six lakes (Willu) and tanks are found spread throughout Wilpattu. Wilpattu is the largest and one of the oldest national parks in Sri Lanka. Wilpattu is world-renowned for its leopard population. A remote camera survey conducted in Wilpattu from July to October 2015 by the Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust captured photographs of forty-nine individual leopards in the surveyed area, the core area density of which was between that of Yala National Park's Block I and Horton Plains National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Javan leopard</span> Subspecies of leopard

The Javan leopard is a leopard subspecies confined to the Indonesian island of Java. It has been listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2021. The population is estimated at 188–571 mature individuals in 22 fragmented subpopulations and a declining population trend. The total remaining habitat is estimated at only 2,267.9 to 3,277.3 km2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Department of Wildlife Conservation (Sri Lanka)</span>

The Department of Wildlife Conservation is a non-ministerial government department in Sri Lanka. It is the government department responsible for maintaining national parks, nature reserves and wildlife in wilderness areas in Sri Lanka. Forest reserves and wilderness areas are maintained by the Department of Forest Conservation. The head of the department is the Director General of Wildlife Conservation, formally known as Warden. It was established in October 1949 with Captain Cyril Nicholas, MC as its first Warden.

Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary is a 2,150.73 km2 (830.40 sq mi) large protected area in northern Myanmar. It was established in 1974 in the Sagaing Region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amur leopard</span> Leopard subspecies in Far East Asia

The Amur leopard is a leopard subspecies native to the Primorye region of southeastern Russia and northern China. It is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, as in 2007, only 19–26 wild leopards were estimated to survive in southeastern Russia and northeastern China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indochinese leopard</span> Leopard subspecies

The Indochinese leopard is a leopard subspecies native to mainland Southeast Asia and southern China. In Indochina, leopards are rare outside protected areas and threatened by habitat loss due to deforestation as well as poaching for the illegal wildlife trade. In 2016, the population was previously thought to comprise 973–2,503 mature individuals, with only 409–1,051 breeding adults. The historical range had decreased by more than 90%. However, as of 2019, it is estimated that there are 77-766 mature Indochinese leopards and that their numbers are decreasing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leopard attack</span> Attacks by leopards

Leopard attacks are attacks inflicted upon humans, other leopards and other animals by the leopard. The frequency of leopard attacks on humans varies by geographical region and historical period. Despite the leopard's extensive range from sub-Saharan Africa to Southeast Asia, attacks are regularly reported only in India and Nepal. Among the five "big cats", leopards are less likely to become man-eaters—only jaguars and snow leopards have a less fearsome reputation. However, leopards are established predators of non-human primates, sometimes preying on species as large as the western lowland gorilla. Other primates may make up 80% of the leopard's diet. While leopards generally avoid humans, they tolerate proximity to humans better than lions and tigers, and often come into conflict with humans when raiding livestock.

Jagath Gunawardana is a lawyer, environmentalist and educator based in Sri Lanka. Gunawardana is known for his advocacy in wildlife conservation and environmental protection.

References

  1. 1 2 "CNN spotlight for ecologist working to save the Sri Lankan leopard | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  2. ↑ "Grey areas in Fauna & Flora Protection Ordinance - Anjali Watson". CeylonToday. Retrieved 2021-01-26.[ permanent dead link ]
  3. ↑ Ecologist working to save the Sri Lankan leopard - CNN Video, 15 January 2020, retrieved 2021-01-16
  4. ↑ Sarah Lazarus and Jon Jensen (15 January 2020). "Sri Lanka's leopards are under threat, but this woman is determined to save them". CNN. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  5. ↑ "Environmental heroes to inspire you in 2021". CNN. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  6. ↑ "Of Tea Estates, Leopards And The Prestigious 'Green Oscars'; A Conservation Story". roar.media. 16 May 2018. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  7. ↑ "Landscape conservation needs to be addressed to protect leopards – Anjali Watson". Landscape conservation needs to be addressed to protect leopards – Anjali Watson. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  8. ↑ "Grey areas in Fauna & Flora Protection Ordinance - Anjali Watson". CeylonToday. Retrieved 2021-01-17.[ permanent dead link ]
  9. ↑ "The fate of Kalu, the black leopard, a wake-up call from the wilds?". Sunday Observer. 2020-06-13. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  10. ↑ "The surging threats to Lanka's big cats". The Morning - Sri Lanka News. 2020-10-03. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  11. ↑ "Leopards and landmines: Post-war carnivore research in Sri Lanka". Mongabay Environmental News. 2016-09-14. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  12. ↑ "Rare black leopard dies during rescue Underscores need to ban snare traps". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  13. ↑ "Leopards and landmines: Post-war carnivore research in Sri Lanka". Mongabay Environmental News. 2016-09-14. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  14. ↑ "Sri Lanka's eco-tourism efforts are paying off - here's how". SilverKris. 2020-03-09. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  15. ↑ "The surging threats to Lanka's big cats". The Morning - Sri Lanka News. 2020-10-03. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  16. ↑ "Green Oscar for WildCRU collaborator, Anjali Watson, for her work with Sri Lankan leopards | WildCRU" . Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  17. ↑ "Leopards as a flagship for wildlife corridors". Whitley Award. 2018-04-26. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  18. ↑ "5 Things You Can Learn From Anjali Watson". cosmomag.lk. Retrieved 2021-01-17.[ permanent dead link ]
  19. ↑ "Forest cover and level of protection influence the island-wide distribution of an apex carnivore and umbrella species, the Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya)". springerprofessional.de. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  20. ↑ Kittle, Andrew M.; Watson, Anjali C. (2018-02-23). "Density of leopards (Panthera pardus kotiya) in Horton Plains National Park in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka". Mammalia. 82 (2): 183–187. doi:10.1515/mammalia-2016-0139. ISSN   1864-1547. S2CID   90597130.
  21. ↑ "CAB Direct". www.cabdirect.org. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  22. ↑ Kittle, A. M.; Watson, A. C.; Kumara, P. H. S. C.; Sandanayake, S. D. K. C.; Sanjeewani, H. K. N.; Fernando, T. S. P. (2014-08-26). "Notes on the diet and habitat selection of the Sri Lankan Leopard Panthera pardus kotiya (Mammalia: Felidae) in the central highlands of Sri Lanka". Journal of Threatened Taxa. 6 (9): 6214–6221. doi: 10.11609/JoTT.o3731.6214-21 . ISSN   0974-7907.
  23. ↑ Silva, Lucas G. da; Kawanishi, Kae; Henschel, Philipp; Kittle, Andrew; Sanei, Arezoo; Reebin, Alexander; Miquelle, Dale; Stein, Andrew B.; Watson, Anjali; Kekule, Laurence Bruce; Machado, Ricardo B. (2017-04-05). "Mapping black panthers: Macroecological modeling of melanism in leopards (Panthera pardus)". PLOS ONE. 12 (4): e0170378. Bibcode:2017PLoSO..1270378D. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170378 . ISSN   1932-6203. PMC   5381760 . PMID   28379961.
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