Wild Studio

Prána – the breath of life, the pulse of existence, the connection between the physical and the spiritual.

Heshan Peiris is the most enthusiastic, young, and talented wildlife photographer. After 12 years of passion, exploration, and commitment to capturing the untamed beauty of nature, he's finally here with something extraordinary! His first-ever wildlife coffee table book is a stunning tribute to Sri Lanka’s rich biodiversity. Each page invites you to experience the wilderness through his lens, revealing a world of wonder, adventure, and rare encounters like never before.

Author | Heshan Peiris
Agency and Creative Direction | Wild Studio
Design and Layout | Pradeepa Benaragama
Photography | Heshan Peiris
Printing | Aitken Spence Printing & Packaging

Living on the Edge: Sri Lanka’s Struggle Between Man and Elephant

Sri Lanka has experienced one of the highest rates of elephant mortality and human fatalities due to this conflict anywhere in the world. Between 2015 and 2024, a total of 3,484 wild elephants and 1,195 people were killed as a result of human–elephant conflict, driven by rapid habitat loss and the expansion of agriculture and settlements into traditional elephant ranges. As elephants increasingly raid farmlands in search of food, frustrated farmers respond with deadly force, while infrastructure like railway lines causes tragic accidents. In just the first month of 2025, 238 elephants and 73 humans were killed—a stark reminder of the crisis. Though mitigation efforts are underway—including elephant corridors, fencing, and awareness campaigns—the balance between human development and elephant survival remains fragile and urgently in need of sustainable, science-based solutions.
* Main causes: habitat loss, deforestation, crop raiding, human encroachment, and infrastructure like roads and railways.
* Fatalities (Jan–Jul 2025): 238 elephants, 73 humans.
* Total deaths (2015–2024): 3,484 elephants and 1,195 humans.
* Most common killing methods: electrocution, gunfire, and “jaw bombs.”
* Key efforts: elephant corridors, electric fences, habitat protection, and community-based coexistence models.

Design Studio

Living on the Edge: Sri Lanka’s Struggle Between Man and Elephant
Sri Lanka has experienced one of the highest rates of elephant mortality and human fatalities due to this conflict anywhere in the world. Between 2015 and 2024, a total of 3,484 wild elephants and 1,195 people were killed as a result of human–elephant conflict, driven by rapid habitat loss and the expansion of agriculture and settlements into traditional elephant ranges. As elephants increasingly raid farmlands in search of food, frustrated farmers respond with deadly force, while infrastructure like railway lines causes tragic accidents. In just the first month of 2025, 238 elephants and 73 humans were killed—a stark reminder of the crisis. Though mitigation efforts are underway—including elephant corridors, fencing, and awareness campaigns—the balance between human development and elephant survival remains fragile and urgently in need of sustainable, science-based solutions.
* Main causes: habitat loss, deforestation, crop raiding, human encroachment, and infrastructure like roads and railways.
* Fatalities (Jan–Jul 2025): 238 elephants, 73 humans.
* Total deaths (2015–2024): 3,484 elephants and 1,195 humans.
* Most common killing methods: electrocution, gunfire, and “jaw bombs.”
* Key efforts: elephant corridors, electric fences, habitat protection, and community-based coexistence models.

Design Studio

Living on the Edge: Sri Lanka’s Struggle Between Man and Elephant

Sri Lanka has experienced one of the highest rates of elephant mortality and human fatalities due to this conflict anywhere in the world. Between 2015 and 2024, a total of 3,484 wild elephants and 1,195 people were killed as a result of human–elephant conflict, driven by rapid habitat loss and the expansion of agriculture and settlements into traditional elephant ranges. As elephants increasingly raid farmlands in search of food, frustrated farmers respond with deadly force, while infrastructure like railway lines causes tragic accidents. In just the first month of 2025, 238 elephants and 73 humans were killed—a stark reminder of the crisis. Though mitigation efforts are underway—including elephant corridors, fencing, and awareness campaigns—the balance between human development and elephant survival remains fragile and urgently in need of sustainable, science-based solutions.

* Main causes: habitat loss, deforestation, crop raiding, human encroachment, and infrastructure like roads and railways.
* Fatalities (Jan–Jul 2025): 238 elephants, 73 humans.
* Total deaths (2015–2024): 3,484 elephants and 1,195 humans.
* Most common killing methods: electrocution, gunfire, and “jaw bombs.”
* Key efforts: elephant corridors, electric fences, habitat protection, and community-based coexistence models.

Design Studio

AFRICA
The cradle of life, the womb of creation
“A rugged land of breathtaking beauty and rich biodiversity, where endangered fauna coexists with the camels and cattle of ancient tribes, fostering a harmonious balance of traditions, understanding, and tolerance.”

"As I sit in the stillness of Laikipia’s vast wilderness, the air heavy with the scent of acacia and the distant gurgle of the Narok River, I feel connected to something far greater than myself. This rugged plateau in Kenya—where the symmetrical cone of Mount Kenya rises like a silent guardian—has become a sanctuary for my soul. Here, the wild speaks in whispers and roars, teaching timeless lessons of resilience, beauty, and survival.

It was in this overlooked gem, often overshadowed by the Maasai Mara, that I encountered Giza—a rare black leopard whose midnight coat and blazing amber eyes have haunted my dreams ever since. Mysterious and majestic, Giza, the Black Diamond of Laikipia, is truly one of nature’s most awe-inspiring creations." – Senaka Kotagama.

The World of the Black Leopard is his attempt to share this unforgettable journey with you—a journey of wild adventures, deep introspection, ancient history, and vibrant mythology, all beautifully interwoven with breathtaking wildlife photography across 286 pages. More than just a coffee table book, it is a heartfelt tribute to nature’s wonder and a call to protect it.

But this journey goes beyond the wilderness.

Senaka has pledged 100% of the profits from this debut publication to support Rotary’s “Little Hearts” project—a life-saving initiative working to raise USD 1 million to expand critical paediatric heart care facilities at Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Each year, over 3,000 children in Sri Lanka are born with congenital heart defects, yet many are unable to receive timely treatment due to limited medical infrastructure. This new paediatric unit will bring hope—and life—to thousands.

The World of the Black Leopard is not just a celebration of wild beauty and personal discovery—it is a meaningful step toward saving lives.

Join us in this mission. Together, we can give not just hope—but life.

Author | Senaka S. Kotagama
Publication Manager I David Colin-Thomé
Agency and Creative Direction | Wild Studio
Design and Layout | Kasun Pradeepa Benaragama
Photography | Senaka S. Kotagama
Paintings | Indika Wijewardana
Project Coordinator | Fatheela Sawall
Proofreader | Mary Anne
Printing | Aitken Spence Printing & Packaging