Sri Lanka is a unique island nation with a rich history and a diverse landscape that has attracted tourists and locals alike who are searching for one-of-a-kind wild life experiences. It has the highest biodiversity density in Southeast Asia. There are 24 wildlife reserves on this small island protecting the wild life fauna and flora; 22 percent of the mammals are endemic as are 27 percent of the flora.
Here are some interesting facts about wild life in Sri Lanka:
• Conservation in Sri Lanka is rooted in its 2230 year old Buddhist civilization.
• 12 percent of Sri Lanka is designated for wild life protection.
• Sri Lanka has the highest density of amphibian species worldwide.
• 10 percent of the world’s elephant population live in Sri Lanka.
• The highest recorded density of leopards is found in Yala National Park.
Given below are popular parks where wild life of interest may be found, starting with the most varied and densely populated.
Yala National Park is located 290 km from Colombo on the southeast coast of the island. It retains the atmosphere of an undisturbed jungle and is renowned for its variety of wildlife and its interesting coastline. It is also known for its large numbers of elephants and is recognized internationally as one of the best parks to observe and photograph leopards.
There are 44 species of animals living here, most commonly:
• Elephant
• Leopards: the endemic panthera pardus kotiya, fishing cat, rusty-spotted
cat, jungle cat
• Ring-tailed civet, golden palm civet
• Sloth bear
• Water buffalo
• Wild boar
• Spotted deer, sambhar, barking deer, mouse deer
• Samba, large crocodile
• Rhesus, grey faced langur
• Striped neck mongoose
• Jackal
• Sea turtle
It is home to 230 species of birds, such as:
• Grey-headed fish eagle
• Jungle fowl
• Brown-capped babbler
• Grey hornbill
• Wood shrike
• Green pigeon
• Red-faced malkoha
• Yellow-wattled lapwing
• Lesser adjutant
• Black-necked stork
• Pelican
• Cormorant
The best time to view the leopards and other big game is May to September. Leopard cubs can be seen during the first few months of the year. Bird watchers can view the migratory birds from October to April.
Sinharaja Forest is located 160 km. south of Colombo. It was named a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1989. Of interest is the recent discovery of a new color morph of white monkey, which was spotted by members of the Galle Wildlife Conservation Association.
Sinharaja Forest is home to 12 species of mammals, eight of which are endemic. Predominant are:
• Purple faced leaf monkey
• Macaque
• Shaggy bear monkey
• Sambhur
• Leopard
• Barking deer
• Wild boar
20 species of birds can be found of which 18 are endemic. Among these are:
• Blue magpie
• Red faced malkoha
• Dusky blue flycatcher
The best time of year to visit is between December and April, and also in August and September. The leopard is best sighted at dawn or dusk when they come out to the open areas to hunt.
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Vilpattu National Park is located 176 km north of Colombo. It is the largest national park in Sri Lanka. There are 30 freshwater lakes here which makes it a bird watcher’s paradise.
31 species of mammals have been found in this park. The leopard and sloth bear are the featured animals. Also present are:
• Pig
• Deer
• Elephant
• Wild boar
• Water buffalo
The many birds that can be found at the lakes include:
• Painted stork
• Grey and purple herons
• Cormorant
• Darter
• Lapwing
• Plover
• Blue coot
• Duck godwit
• Sandpiper
• Pelican
• Ibis
• Spoonbill
• White ibis
• Purple heron
• Whistling teal
• Large white egret
The dry season from May to early September is the best time to visit.
Bundala National Park is located 260 km southeast of Colombo. It is a wetland situated at the south shore of the island which provides a home for over 20,000 migrant birds.
32 different species of mammals live here, five of which are endangered. These include the following:
• Elephant
• Leopard
• Spotted deer, sambar, barking deer
• Indian pangolin
• Grey langur monkey
• Sloth bear
• Jackal
• Giant squirrel
• Civet cat
• Sea turtle
Among the 150 bird species are:
• Black-necked stork
• Great thick-knee
• Greater flamingo
• Blue-tailed bee-eater
• Spoonbill
• Red shank, green shank
• Spot-billed pelican
• Blue-faced malkoha
• Brahminy kite
• Crested hawk eagle
• Brown shrike
The best time to see the birds would be between October and March.
Other national parks to consider visiting are:
Horton Plains National Park, 200 km east of Colombo
Early morning during clear air would be the best time to visit to see some of the 24 species of mammal such as the endemic slender loris and purple monkey. Other mammals that can be seen are elk, deer, giant squirrel, wild boar, wild hare, porcupine and leopard. The mouse deer is a rare find and has been photographed here. 87 species of birds also make their home here.
Wasgamuwa National Park, 200 km northeast of Colombo
Some of the 23 species of mammal are wild elephant, deer, sloth bear, monkey, wild boar and crocodile. In its rivers are 17 fresh water fishes and eight amphibians. The Red-faced malkoha, yellow fronted barbet, jungle fowl, spur fowl and frogmouth are some of the 143 species of birds.
Lahugala National Park, 300 km southeast of Colombo
This is the smallest national park in Sri Lanka, and is connected to Yala National Park. Its main feature is the protected corridor for elephant groups moving between Yala on the south and Gal Oya on the north. It is therefore the place where the largest number of wild elephants can be seen.
Minneriya National Park, 182 km northeast of Colombo
This is one of the newest national parks in Sri Lanka. A unique feature of this park is the Minneriya Tank, which was built in the third century by King Mahasena. During the dry season of June to September, the Tank attracts the many elephants and other animals as well as the birds and is a place to view the varied wild life of this park.
