Olu Tropical Water unveils “Leopard Edition” on International Leopard Day

Anjalee Watson and Shalindri Malawana

Olu Tropical Water, Sri Lanka’s premier brand of natural mineral water, sourced from the central highlands’ partners with the Wilderness & Wildlife Conservation Trust to aid in the restoration of essential wildlife pathways in a project aptly named “Corridors for Conservation – Central Highlands”.

Olu Tropical Water comes to life in Sri Lanka’s extremely rare cloud forests, nestled in the lush mountainous tropics of the island’s central highlands. Across the world, cloud forests account for just 1% of global woodland, making Sri Lanka one of the very few countries that is home to these precious forests.

Explaining the history of the partnership that goes back to 2018, Liquid Island Ltd. General Manager Shalindri Malawana goes on to say, “It was on our journey and travels in the territory that we met Anjali and Andrew. Two amazing individuals that are deeply passionate about the conservation of leopards. And in our conversations, we realised that the forest cover that bridges the mountain tops, was ever so important, and the wellbeing of the forest and the surrounding wildlife was part of what made OLU Tropical Water pure and true. And so, our connection to leopards began.”

Dr. Andrew Kittle and Anjali Watson are a husband-and-wife zoologist/ecologist duo who have been conducting wildlife research for conservation over the past two decades. Their Sri Lankan leopard research has been key in elevating the knowledge base of leopard land use and distribution island wide, and ecology behaviour and diet in the varied habitats in which this island leopard resides. This work is now translating into on ground conservation by selection of additional refuges for protection and improved co-existence initiatives.

“Sri Lanka is the only place on earth where the leopard has evolved as the top terrestrial predator. For it to continue to exist across the island as it does now, we need to secure our protected areas, restore, and conserve our mixed landscapes and the land connections between them.” says Anjali Watson.

The limited release “Leopard Edition” was unveiled on 3 May at Stables in Park Street Mews in commemoration of International Leopard Day. In attendance were friends of the brand key trade partners from within the hospitality industry and wildlife photographers who were provided with the platform to showcase their magnificent captures.

A direct contribution will be made towards Corridors for Conservation initiative through every bottle sold.

- Pix by Sameera Wijesinghe