Anjali Watson

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]

Anjali Watson
Born
Sri Lanka
Alma materThe University of Edinburgh, McMaster University
Known forLeopard conservation
SpouseAndrew Kittle[1]
Children2
AwardsWhitley Award 2018
Scientific career
FieldsEcology
Websitewwct.org

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 it's 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
  • Forest cover and level of protection influence the island-wide distribution of an apex carnivore and umbrella species, the Sri Lannkan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya).[19]
  • Density of leopards (Panthera pardus kotiya) in Horton Plains National Park in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka.[20]
  • The ecology and behaviour of a protected area Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) population.[21]
  • Notes on the status, distribution and abundance of the Sri Lankan leopard in the central hills of Sri Lanka.[22]
  • Mapping black panthers: Macroecological modeling of melanism in leopards (Panthera pardus).[23]

See also

References
  1. "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.
  3. Ecologist working to save the Sri Lankan leopard - CNN Video, retrieved 2021-01-16
  4. Sarah Lazarus and Jon Jensen. "Sri Lanka's leopards are under threat, but this woman is determined to save them". CNN. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  5. Staff, CNN. "Environmental heroes to inspire you in 2021". CNN. Retrieved 2021-01-26. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  6. "Of Tea Estates, Leopards And The Prestigious 'Green Oscars'; A Conservation Story". roar.media. 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.
  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.
  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. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0170378. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 5381760. PMID 28379961.
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