National Parks In Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has a rich and exotic variety of wildlife and a long tradition of conservation rooted in its 2230-year-old Buddhist civilization. The following are the most important sanctuaries in terms of attractions, accessibility, and availability of facilities.
The animals to be seen in Sri Lanka’s national parks include elephants, leopards, sloth bears, sambur, deer and monkeys, wild buffalo, wild boars, porcupines, anteaters, civet cat, jackal, mongoose, Loris, several varieties of lizards, squirrels, reptiles, and amphibians. Each park however has its specialties.
Yala National Park
Situated 309 km south of Colombo, Yala is approximately 1,259 sq. km. in extent and is located in the southeastern corner of the Island. Its northern boundaries border on the Lahugala Elephant Sanctuary and it has the bonus of scenic ocean frontage. The terrain is varied flat plains alternating with rocky outcrops. The vegetarian ranges from open parkland to dense jungle. Water holes, small lakes, lagoons, and streams provide water for animals and birds. The specialty here is a large number of Elephants.
Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu National Park (Will-pattu; Land of Lakes) is a park located on the island of Sri Lanka. The unique feature of this park is the existence of “Willus” (Natural lakes) – natural, sand-rimmed water basins or depressions that fill with rainwater. Located on the northwest coast lowland dry zone of Sri Lanka. The park is located 30 km (19 mi) west Anuradhapura and 26 km (16 mi) north of Puttalam (approximately 180 km (110 mi) north of Colombo). The park is 1,317 km2 (508 sq mi) (131, 693 hectares) and ranges from 0–152 m (0–499 ft) above sea level. Nearly one hundred and six lakes (Willu) and tanks are found spread throughout Wilpattu. Wilpattu is the largest and one of the oldest National Parks in Sri Lanka. Wilpattu is among the top national parks world-renowned for its leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) population.
Maduru Oya National Park
The Maduru Oya National park is located in the Dry Zone and is 300 km away from Colombo and 58,849 hectares in extent. A wide variety of wildlife including some endemic birds species and reptiles are found here. Maduru Oya is rich in ancient ruins found in different places and its southern parts provide veddhas, indigenous people their living environment. Endemic purple monkey is among the important animal spices that can be seen in addition to Sambhur, a member of the cat family, etc. There is some endemic avifauna also found within this park.
Gal Oya National Park
Situated at Inginiyagala, the Gal Oya National Park is 314 km from Colombo and is most renowned for its elephant population.
Horton Plains National Park
The Horton Plains National Park is the only national park situated in the Hill Country and falls within the Nuwara Eliya district and is 200 km away from Colombo. The panoramic scenic beauty of the Hill Country could be witnessed within the park. Endemic slender Loris and endemic purple monkey are among the important animal species that could be seen in addition to sambhur, a member of the cat family, etc. There is some endemic avifauna also found within this park.
Uda Walawe National Park
Situated 170 km southeast of Colombo the Udawalawe National Park is approximately 30,821 hectares in extent. This Park which lies within the Ratnapura and Monaragala District acts as the catchment to the Uda Walawe Reservoir and is located in the Dry Zone. This park comprises grasslands and thorn scrubs and many valuable species of trees are found within it. Large herds of Elephants and Deer species such as spotted Deer, Sambhur, Barking deer and Langur, Wild Boar, Water Buffalo, Jackal are some of the prominent wild animals found in this Park and a variety of avifauna is seen.
Wasgamuwa National Park
Wasgamuwa National Park (Wasgomuwa) is located in the districts of Matale and Polonnaruwa at a distance of 225 km away from Colombo. The nearest large town is Polonnaruwa, 10 km from the northern boundary. Wasgamuwa National Park (Wasgomuwa) spanning over 36,900 hectares is bordered by River Mahaweli Ganga and River Amban Ganga in east and west. The altitude varies from over 500m at the Sudu Kanda hill to just 76m along the Mahaweli Ganga. The combination of several small reservoirs and the Sudu Kanda mountain range affords fine trekking opportunities for keen hikers. The center of the attraction is herds of elephants up to 150. The best time to enjoy the sight of large herds is from November to May. In the rest of the year, the elephants tend to migrate to nearby Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks.
Other wildlife includes Purple-faced langur monkeys, wild boar, sambar and spotted deer, buffalo, and rarely sighted leopards and sloth bears. Among the reptiles are water monitor, mugger crocodile, estuarine crocodile, and python (Python Molurus).
