My encounter with Ankesh and his family was very memorable, the first experience I only spent a short time with them as there was so much to see in such a short period of time, I knew on my return to the zoo I would be with the leopards for a longer period of time, I set up my day so conditions would be how I would want, cool as the cats are more active during these days, and oh what an experience I had.
Little did I know this would be an unwelcome visitor for the Leopards, while shooting they immediately came up to the glass and thought it was a toy of sorts as the arms of my hoody were moving from side to side, the first reaction was captured in this photo below they didn’t know what to think as it was new and moving
Meet Ankesh the Sri Lankan Leopard, this is my second time shooting with him at his home located at the National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra. The meaning behind Ankesh in Hindi is ‘King Of Numbers’. Leopards are my second favourite big cat following the Sumatran tiger. Their eyes tell such an amazing story! Also with Ankesh is his partner Yakalla and their offspring Asanka and Chatura.
In the wild, there are only less than 1000 remaining leopards. This is due to human conflict, poaching for their skins, loss of habitat due to an increase in the human population. They are listed as Endangered and their population is decreasing.
While shooting with Ankesh he was close to the window, so I was using my hoody as a shadow blocker on the glass to deplete any unwanted reflections that my camera could pick up when you are in an open world situation using any piece of ‘equipment’ to get best possible shots helps in this situation. Get creative in your next shoot
There next reaction was one I will forever keep with me they started to roll on there backs and wanted to be playful, such a presence to see as they are so big and they could definitely do some more damage than a nomral house cat, apart of me during this moment made me think to the amazing individuals that dediacte there lives to saving these animals in the wild, how connected they are to the species. I could feel such a connection as I looked into the eyes of the leopard.
