AGM & Lecture : The Leopard Identification Project by Avijja Fonseka

TIME: Refreshments from 7pm, AGM from 7.30pm, Lecture from 7.50pm.  

VENUE: Salon 1, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

AGM: The Annual General Meeting of the ENHG-AD will also be held before this lecture at 7:30 PM, before the ENHG-AD lecture meeting. 
This approximately 20-minute AGM will consist mainly of the Treasurer’s and Chairman’s PowerPoint presentations reviewing the finances and activities of the Abu Dhabi chapter of the ENHG from Sept 2014 through Aug 2015 (2014-2015 membership year).
As always, the AGM is open to all to the general public, but only paid-up members will be invited to vote on the ratification of ENHG-AD Committee officers/members and approval of the revised ENHG-AD Constitution (click here to veiw) with which this short meeting will conclude.

LECTURE TITLE:  The leopard identification project by Leopard Trails, Bespoke Tented Safaris, Yala, Sri Lanka, by Game Ranger Avijja Fonseka.

LECTURE SUMMARY: The Leopard Trails leopard identification project initiated over 4 years ago has not only established that parts of Sri Lanka have the highest density of leopard in the world, it has also given us insights into how leopard behaviour in Sri Lanka differs to other parts of the world partly due to Leopards being the apex predator in Sri Lanka. Through the project we hope to help conserve the Sri Lankan leopard for many generations to come.

Apart from the leopard, Sri Lanka has been blessed with a wealth of other wildlife. It is the best place in the world to witness the Asian Elephant in all their glory during the “Gathering that takes place every year on the lush banks of the Minneriya reservoir. In addition Sri Lanka is a paradise for bird lovers as it boasts over 400 species of birds both endemic and migratory.  This richness in wildlife however is not restricted to the land as Sri Lanka is one of the best places in the world to watch the behemoths of the ocean. From the playful Spinner dolphins to the gigantic blue whales which are the only known global population of whales that does not migrate.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: 

At the age of three Avi was introduced to the wilds of Sri Lanka by his parents. This passion that was established at an early age has resulted in a life-long obsession with wildlife. Avi literally spends any spare time exploring our island rich bio diversity.

Upon completing high school in Colombo, Avi completed a bachelor's degree in Biodiversity and Conservation from the Macquarie University (Sydney, Australia), commenting a future career in a subject close to his heart.

Avi has worked on the Umkwali Predator Conservation Project (South Africa) and it is here that the learnt art of tracking, during his field work with Big Cats. Avi has also been involved in Leopard identification work carried out by the Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Sri Lanka. He is an active member of Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka. He is always keen to share stories about his experiences in the bush both in Africa and Sri Lanka and is secretly an avid birder.

Avi can be found pursuing his hobby of wildlife photography whilst at Leopard Trails and during his free time.

This talk has kindly been arranged by Country Holidays, one of the world’s foremost providers of luxury tours for more than 20 years has opened its doors in Dubai.  Country Holidays is a specialist in the extraordinary — offering unique tours to some of the world’s most exciting destinations including Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam. More info:http://www.countryholidays.ae/en/