The beloved children’s wildlife adventure series Michaela’s Wild Challenge, fronted by acclaimed naturalist Michaela Strachan and broadcast on CBBC, brought its trademark blend of education and excitement to Sri Lanka with Jetwing Eco Holidays as the local partner. The program is known for sending Michaela on daring missions to uncover some of the world’s most fascinating creatures, and in Sri Lanka, we designed a series of seven carefully planned assignments that showcased the island’s extraordinary biodiversity.
Each challenge revealed a different aspect of Sri Lanka’s wild heart, from encounters with little-known species to learning the intricate ways in which animals adapt to their habitats. Guiding Michaela on this journey were not only Jetwing Eco Holidays’ seasoned naturalists but also a Jetwing Research Initiative leopard researcher, whose expertise proved invaluable in tracking one of the most elusive and legendary animals in Asia.
That pursuit led to the pinnacle of the Sri Lankan expedition: a rare and unforgettable sighting of the “Prince of Darkness” the black leopard. Revered and mysterious, this melanistic form of the Sri Lankan leopard is almost never seen in daylight. Yet with persistence, planning, and expert tracking, Michaela and her team were able to capture this breathtaking encounter on camera, creating one of the most memorable moments of the entire series.
Behind the scenes, Jetwing Eco Holidays ensured seamless logistics, specialist guidance, and field knowledge, all of which allowed the production team to focus on storytelling and filming without compromise. From navigating national parks to interpreting complex animal behavior, our contribution was central to securing visuals that very few in the world have ever witnessed.
