Sri Lanka’s Leopards Face Overtourism

Why this is here: Yala National Park welcomed almost 390,000 visitors in the first half of 2025, bringing in more than $5 million despite concerns about the impact on leopard behavior.

Milinda Wattegedara, a wildlife photographer in Sri Lanka, observes increasing visitor pressure within Yala National Park threatens its leopard population. The park’s Block I, home to roughly 2.6 leopards per square mile, received nearly 390,000 visitors during the first six months of 2025, generating over $5 million in revenue.

Increased social media use and mobile reception contribute to “leopard jams” as drivers quickly share sightings. Vehicle strikes have already killed leopards and other animals, and a recent incident involved a close call for a male leopard named Lucas.

The Department of Wildlife Conservation now licenses 552 safari jeeps and enforces speed limits with fines or suspensions. Plans include limiting daily vehicle entry to 250-300 jeeps and opening less-visited park blocks to distribute tourist traffic. Long-term success, however, requires a shift toward prioritizing wildlife experience quality and stricter regulation enforcement.