In the heart of Yala, a new legend roams free...
Meet Singhe (සිංහ)(YM77), Yala’s fearless guardian!
In the core of Yala National Park, surrounded by its prodigious landscapes and secrets without limits, I’ve been given the occasion of living moments with nature that have left their indelible mark on my soul.
A year ago, on a warm April morning in the secluded Warahana area of Yala, I ventured into the wilderness alongside Chief Ranger Krishan Sudasinghe of Leopard Trails and my wildlife colleague Rodney Hunukumbura. There, we stumbled upon a scene so rarely witnessed that it felt as though the heart of the forest was sharing a secret just with us.
Seeing a small leopard cub no more than two weeks old, curled up safely next to his mother, Sarah, in the protection of a tree hollow, was a moment of wild enchantment—an intimate encounter with raw nature’s beauty. Delicately wild, it reminded me of how life thrives out of sight, courageously in the unexposed nooks and corners of an untamed world.
Fate brought me back this year to that secret refuge. Though it wasn’t through my eyes that they were first found, the sight of that once tiny cub, now older, stronger, and standing proudly by his mother, stirred an almost sacred awe deep inside.
Life in the wild had shaped him, from each shadow to each sunbeam, each playing its part in his development into a young leopard. Wild grace tied him—a living, breathing testimony to the silent endurance of nature, a symbol of lasting beauty and strength in the heart of the wild.
It was an honor beyond words when the opportunity to name this magnificent young leopard was bestowed upon me. I sought a name that reflected the strength, courage, and grace I had seen in his mother and now in him. After much thought, I chose the name “Singhe (සිංහ)” ,Number (YM77) symbolizing bravery, grace, and the soul of a fierce protector. “Singhe” is synonymous with “brave,” a fitting guide as he journeys deeper into the mysteries of the wild, facing challenges and weaving his story into the legacy of Yala’s heart.
This meaningful moment was made possible through the efforts of the Yala Leopard Diary Group, an NGO dedicated to studying and protecting leopards. Special gratitude goes to Milinda Wattegedara and Dushyantha Silva, representatives of Yala Leopard Diary, whose technical expertise and invaluable support greatly assisted in naming this incredible animal.
Naming “Singhe” serves as a profound reminder of the bond we share with nature and a silent vow to protect and preserve the wonders that roam, soar, and thrive on our planet.
May Singhe roam freely, finding adventures in every shadowed grove, and carry with him the courage, grace, and beauty that inspired his name.
To Singhe—a gallant heart from Yala, where an untold journey awaits him.
Dr. Gotabhaya Ranasinghe
