Legends with names

A photo of a Sri Lankan Elephant — not this animal

Wild female elephant · Yala Devi Devi was a female of Yala's Gemunu group and the mother of the famous tusker Gemunu, who was born around 1988–1990. Researchers at the Centre for Conservation and…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Leopard — not this animal

Leopard · Kumana Devi Devi (KLF3) is a female leopard of Kumana National Park; "Devi" is the name used for her in the Leopards of Kumana citizen-science field guide, which is based…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Leopard — not this animal

Leopard · Kumana Dhara Dhara (KLF27) is a female leopard of Kumana National Park; "Dhara" is the name used for her in the Leopards of Kumana citizen-science field guide, which is based…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Elephant — not this animal

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage · August 2021 – Disa Disa (also written Dissa) is one of the male twins born to Surangi at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in August 2021, the first twin elephant births recorded there;…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Leopard — not this animal

Leopard · Yala Duke Duke (Kotasiyabale 1:1 Male, YM 18) is a male leopard of Yala National Park; "Duke" is a name used by Yala trackers and the Leopard Trails team. A…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Elephant — not this animal

Ceremonial tusker · Dalada Maligawa Ekadantha A one-tusked elephant, described as the most docile tusker in the Sri Dalada Maligawa stables. In 1977, when three Pinnawala tuskers were put up for sale, former Health…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Leopard — not this animal

Leopard · Yala · mid-2021 – Elsa Elsa (Gal-Mandiya 3:2 Female, YF 70) is a female leopard of Yala National Park; "Elsa" is a name used by Yala trackers and the Leopard Trails team. Born…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Leopard — not this animal

Leopard · Yala · 2005 – Emily Emily (Warahana 2:3 Female, YF 18) is a female leopard of Yala National Park; "Emily" is a name used by Yala trackers and the Leopard Trails team. An…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Leopard — not this animal

Leopard · Yala · 2013 – Emma Emma (Warahana 2:2 Female 2, YF 19) is a female leopard of Yala National Park; "Emma" is a name used by Yala trackers and the Leopard Trails team.…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Leopard — not this animal

Leopard · Yala · mid-2021 – Erica Erica (Gal-Mandiya 2:2 Female, YF 69) is a female leopard of Yala National Park; "Erica" is a name used by Yala trackers and the Leopard Trails team. Born…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Leopard — not this animal

Leopard · Yala · 2016/17 – Ethan Ethan (Mating Gala 3:3 Male, YM 22) is a male leopard of Yala National Park; "Ethan" is a name used by Yala trackers and the Leopard Trails team.…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Leopard — not this animal

Leopard · Yala · late 2017 – Evan Evan (New Road 2:2 Male, YM 39) is a male leopard of Yala National Park; "Evan" is a name used by Yala trackers and the Leopard Trails team.…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Leopard — not this animal

Leopard · Wilpattu Eye One (Ivan) Eye One, also called "Ivan", is a legendary leopardess of Wilpattu National Park, named for the blue haze over her right eye. She was first sighted with her…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Leopard — not this animal

Leopard · Yala · 2016/17 – Ezra Ezra (Mating Gala 6:5 Male, YM 23) is a male leopard of Yala National Park; "Ezra" is a name used by Yala trackers and the Leopard Trails team.…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Elephant — not this animal

Wild tusker · North Central Gajaba Gajaba was described in a 2020 Mongabay photo essay as the largest wild tusker in Sri Lanka, standing an estimated 3.1 m at the shoulder. He lives in…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Elephant — not this animal

Wild tusker · Galgamuwa · July 2024 Galgamuwe Chandi Galgamuwe Chandi, also called Eka Danthaya ("the single-tusked one"), was a wild tusker from Ehetuwewa in the Galgamuwa area. Wildlife officials moved him away several times, to Somawathiya…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Leopard — not this animal

Leopard · Yala Galiver Galiver (Kotigala 3:2 Male, YM 15) is a male leopard of Yala National Park; "Galiver" is a name used by Yala trackers and the Leopard Trails team. A…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Leopard — not this animal

Leopard · Kumana Garuwa Garuwa (KLM45) is a male leopard of Kumana National Park; "Garuwa" is the name used for him in the Leopards of Kumana citizen-science field guide, which is based…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Leopard — not this animal

Leopard · Yala Geema (Grace) Geema (Grace) (Karawgas Wala 4:4 Female, YF 14) is a female leopard of Yala National Park; "Geema" is a name used by Yala trackers and the Leopard Trails…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Leopard — not this animal

Leopard · Kumana Geera Geera (KLM10) is a male leopard of Kumana National Park; "Geera" is the name used for him in the Leopards of Kumana citizen-science field guide, which is based…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Elephant — not this animal

Wild tusker · Yala · c. 1991 – Gemunu Yala's best-known wild bull, named after King Dutugemunu and usually seen in Block 1 and along the Sithulpawwa road. He became famous — and controversial — for walking…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Elephant — not this animal

Wild tusker · Yala Genghis Khan Genghis Khan was a large Yala tusker. Wildlife photographer Lal Anthonis saw him in August 1987 and describes him as much older and bigger than Kublai Khan; the…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Leopard — not this animal

Leopard · Kumana Giri Giri (KLM6) is a male leopard of Kumana National Park; "Giri" is the name used for him in the Leopards of Kumana citizen-science field guide, which is based…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Leopard — not this animal

Leopard · Kumana Gosha Gosha (KLF22) is a female leopard of Kumana National Park; "Gosha" is the name used for her in the Leopards of Kumana citizen-science field guide, which is based…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Leopard — not this animal

Leopard · Yala · early 2006 – Hamine Hamine (Rakina Wala 2:2 Female, YF 03) is a female leopard of Yala National Park; "Hamine" is a name used by Yala trackers and the Leopard Trails team.…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Leopard — not this animal

Leopard · Yala · about 2003 – Hamu Hamu (Andhun Oruwa 3:3 male, YM 01) was called the undisputed king of Yala; his nickname means leader or chief in Sinhala. He held a large territory, was…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Leopard — not this animal

Leopard · Yala · late 2018 – Hans Hans (Padi Kema 3:3 Male, YM 46) is a male leopard of Yala National Park; "Hans" is a name used by Yala trackers and the Leopard Trails team.…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Leopard — not this animal

Leopard · Yala · 2014 – Harak Hora (Cattle Thief) Harak Hora, Sinhala for "Cattle Thief" (Rathmal Wala 4:5 male, YM 07), is one of the largest and most confident males in the southern part of Yala Block…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Leopard — not this animal

Leopard · Kumana Hari Hari (KLM1) is a male leopard of Kumana National Park; "Hari" is the name used for him in the Leopards of Kumana citizen-science field guide, which is based…

A photo of a Sri Lankan Leopard — not this animal

Leopard · Yala Harley Harley (Sithulpawwa Road 2:3 Female, YF 50) is a female leopard of Yala National Park; "Harley" is a name used by Yala trackers and the Leopard Trails team.…