At the heart of meaningful conservation is the exchange of knowledge. Recognising the value of shared expertise, the Wildcats Subcommittee of WNPS launched Cat Chats, a dedicated platform for researchers, conservationists, students, and policy advocates to connect, collaborate, and deepen their collective understanding of Sri Lanka’s wild cats.
Since its inception, Cat Chats has brought together some of the most respected voices in wildlife conservation. These sessions offer a rare opportunity for local and international experts to discuss research findings, compare strategies, and engage in open dialogue about the challenges and opportunities facing wild cat conservation in Sri Lanka. In 2019, Cat Chats became a featured segment at the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation – Asia Pacific (ATBC-AP) Conference held in Sri Lanka. This session spotlighted the ecology and conservation of the country’s four native wild cat species and featured presentations by distinguished researchers including Dr. Andrew Kittle, Anjali Watson, Ashan Thudugala, and Thilina Nimalrathna. The platform continued to grow in the following years. In 2020, the third Cat Chat hosted Dr. Shahil Nijhawan (India) and Dr. Ashwin Naidu (USA), offering participants a valuable international perspective on wild cat conservation. These discussions addressed the realities of human-wildlife coexistence and highlighted models that could be adapted to Sri Lanka’s unique environmental and social context.
Despite the global pandemic, WNPS ensured continuity by taking Cat Chats online in 2021. Led by Dr. Sriyanie Miththapala, this virtual session united nearly 30 researchers and conservation stakeholders. The result was a practical four-point action plan that has since contributed to shaping national-level leopard conservation priorities. In 2023, the Subcommittee welcomed Dr. Vidya Athreya, a leading Indian researcher renowned for her work on human-leopard conflict, for a landmark Cat Chat panel discussion. Joined by Prof. Enoka Kudavidanage and Dr. Sriyanie Miththapala, the session provided a powerful, evidence-based conversation on practical methods of coexistence and the socio-political dynamics of wildlife conflict management.
Most recently, in 2024, WNPS hosted Dr. Jeannine McManus from South Africa’s Landmark Foundation, a conservationist known for her hands-on work with leopard populations in human-modified landscapes. During her visit, Dr. McManus led a Cat Chat session and facilitated private dialogues with DWC officials, LOLC representatives, and regional field teams, further strengthening the Subcommittee’s international ties and operational strategy.
Cat Chats has expanded much more than a lecture series and has now become a trusted and influential forum for shaping the future of wild cat conservation in Sri Lanka. By fostering openness, scientific exchange, and cross-border collaboration, this platform ensures that conservation is informed by the best available knowledge, guided by real-world experience, and rooted in shared purpose.
Home Multi-Regional Leopard Research and Conservation Project (LRCP) The Multi-Regional Leopard Research and Conservation Project (LRCP) is the most extensive and coordinated wild cat conservation programme ever launched outside protected
At the heart of meaningful conservation is the exchange of knowledge. Recognising the value of shared expertise, the Wildcats Subcommittee of WNPS launched Cat Chats, a dedicated platform for researchers, conservationists, students, and policy advocates to connect, collaborate, and deepen their collective understanding of Sri Lanka’s wild cats.
