Volume 16 - March 2021

I am a Rinshi Beast and I must destroy the Power Rangers!

“Honey wake up, wake up, you’re not a Rinshi whatever, you’re an Indian Pangolin living in Sri Lanka and what’s more, you’re scaring Junior!”

Mama: Ooh I had the strangest dream. I was fighting these weird humans called Power Rangers and I was giant sized, fearless and I had all these superpowers!

Papa: *chuckles* This is what happens when you go to sleep on an empty stomach. Tell you what, I found a nice termite mound not too far from here. Why don’t you tell Junior and me all about it while we grab some breakfast?

Mama: Alright, but did you scope out the route to make sure that no predators are around? Junior hasn’t quite perfected the art of rolling up into a tight armoured ball like we do to protect himself.

Papa: All sorted, there’s plenty of cover. He can ride on your back like he always does.

 

Fun Facts

Junior: Dad, dad, dad! Look how far my tongue rolls out!

Dad: Haha yes and it’s only going to get longer son. We Pangolins have tongues that are longer than our torsos. Makes it easier to get that juicy fat termite hiding deep in that burrow!

Junior: Ok dad, I’m done eating. Can I climb that tall tree now? You promised I could after breakfast.

Dad: Alright, just for a bit, but then you come right down and snuggle up in the burrow ok?

Junior: Cool, thanks dad!

 

Story of the Picture

These shy creatures prefer a quiet environment, such as the ones around the Mahoora Camps in Yala or Udawalawe. But, surprisingly, this Indian Pangolin couple was spotted by wildlife photographer Kushan Jayasundara, quite close to a populated area, near his ancestral home in Udugama, in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. 

 

 

Diary of Fearsome Fangra, the Jungle Cat

Day 90: I just wish mummy would just let me be, instead of watching over me all the time. I am the Fearsome Fangra and I will not be shackled!

Day 130: I like how we have different homes on different days. In a burrow one day, under a swamp rock another day, and then up in a tree hollow the next day! 

Day 145: I got scolded for climbing up a tree and sunbathing there. Mummy got so worried. But it was such a cold day. I don’t know why she didn’t just join me. 

Day 163: I caught my first mouse today! It may be small, but I’m getting there. Someday soon… it will be a big Sambar!

Day 175: Mummy and I did some people-watching today. We set off early to begin our night hunt and that’s when we saw the humans. So we stopped for a bit and I got to practice “The Stare”. Mummy does it so well. Soon, Fangra’s stare will strike fear in the hearts of all creatures!

Fun Facts

Day 190: Unlike my shackled, domesticated cousins.... I can swim! Hear me roar, fishdom! Cower in fear of the Fearsome Fangra! I finally don’t need mum to be around when I swim. Except to point out the mean crocs hiding in the lake.

Day 191: I bravely dove into the big lake and caught my first fish today. That’s how a real Jungle Cat does it! The fish was delicious and I shared it with mum. She was so proud!

 

Story of the Picture

After setting off on an evening safari in Udawalawe, Kushan was lucky enough to get a clear shot at this mum and child on the prowl inside the Park, not too far from from the Mahoora Tented Safari Camp.. 

 

 

Flamingo Vogue - January Edition

Well, we’re off to Sri Lanka this month to follow the A-list Greater Flamingos, as they holiday and party the night away in the place-to-be this season - Mannar!

Patricia Stiltwalker is sporting a wonderful plumage this year and we managed to grab a few seconds out of her ever-so-busy social life to ask her a few questions. 

“So Patricia, tell us your secret to looking so faaabulous all the time?”

“Well daaarling, you are what you eat and I only eat the best shrimp, molluscs and insects that Edgar can find“

“O-M-G, did you remarry? How did we miss that? You must tell us all about it and how you dumped moneybags Cholmondeley?”

“Oh no, Chumsy and I are very much in love and together daaarling. Edgar is my new birdservant. I don’t want to get my beak dirty you see, trawling through all that mud. The gorgeous black tip on my beak is a thing of beauty and should never be sullied with all that muck. Edgar does all the… dirty work for me.. aha ahaha...ahahaha”

 

Fun Facts

“We understand that there is a new arrival in the family. Do tell us more.”

“Ooooh daaarling, little Delilah is a wingful. But I must tell you, having just one child a year is a blessing. I don’t know how we would handle two babies. Haha, two eggs. Bloody unlikely for our kind. She’s in the creche at the moment with her nanny. Pop by later and you could snap a picture of the whole family with a nice sunset behind us. Afterwards, do join us for dinner, we’re going shrimping. Sven, that’s Chumsy’s birdservant, and Edgar will pick out the choicest morsels for us”.

 

Story of the Picture

In 2019, whilst staying at the Mahoora Tented Safari Camp on the borders of the Wilpattu National Park, wildlife photographer Kushan set off on a hunch to nearby Mannar Island and captured this beautiful picture of Patricia & Cholmondeley and their birdservants searching for dinner.

 

The cuddliest owl of all

The Chestnut Backed Owlet is an adorable little owl that’s difficult to spot, but a delight to watch!

 

Surely the inspiration for many stuffed owl toys, this stocky little creature is endemic to Sri Lanka and is most prevalent in the wetlands, hills and pristine forests. If you are lucky enough to spot one of these well-camouflaged birds, you would soon end up mesmerised by its Medusa-like glare. The strange circular head bobble, the chubby little body and the hypnotic, piercing stare have often rendered a bird watcher motionless, at least until the little guy... or girl flies off. Quite frustratingly, it's never easy to tell them apart just by appearance, as both sexes look exactly alike with brown feathers across most of the body and white & black feathers on the chest. 

 

Fun Facts

Unlike its nocturnal cousins, this cute little owl loves to be out in the daylight and does most of its hunting during this time. Despite this, it’s a very hard owl to spot due to its colour and size, especially when it sits quietly in the trees. Its undoing, which bird watchers rely on, is its distinct “kwurr, kwurr” call, which starts off soft but increases in volume quickly, promptly giving away its location.

Story of the Picture

During his stay with Explorer by Eco Team, Kushan was on one of his early morning treks deep inside the Sinharaja Rain Forest, when the distinct call of this little owl drew him to it. The little guy was tucked away and hidden among the branches of a tall Kithul tree, but Kushan was able to get a nice vantage point, resulting in this beautiful shot.