NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES

The jungles of Sri Lanka abound in a variety of wildlife, which is surprising for an island of its size in the tropics. From ancient days the elephants and peacock from the Sri Lankan jungles were prize exports to the Kingdoms of East and West. But apart from these well known examples of the fauna, a visit to the Sri Lankan jungles is to enter a whole new world where nature has largely stayed still. There are four major national parks. Of these the best known is Ruhunu National Park, at Yala, in the deep South of the island. The other well known national park, at Wilpattu, is at present closed due to the prevailing conditions in the North of the island. There are also two other national partis at Inginlyagala and Udawalawe.

Sri Lanka has 3 rich and exotic variety of wildlife and a long tradition of conservation rooted in its 2,230 year old Buddhist civilization. The following are the most important sanctuaries in terms of attractions, accessibility and avaifabifity of facillties.

Animal Sanctuaries

The animals to be seen in Sri Lanka's national parks include elephant, leopard, sloth bear, sambhur, deer and monkeys,wild buffalo,wild boar (pig), porcupine, ant-eater, civet cat, jackal, mongoose, loris (unique to Sri Lanka) several varieties of lizards, squirrels, reptiles and amphibians. Each park however has its own specialties.

While the elephant is undoubtedly the best known attraction at Yala, seen in small and large herds, what is the most appealing here is gathers, there is every chance of seeing the Ceylon Sloth Bear scampering with its younq on it back. The progress of your vehicle could be held up by a Python across the track and near the many waterholcs will bee found whole colonies of Crocodiles.

The Peacock is easily the most famous of the birds at Vala. The mating dance of the male, with its colourful plumes fully spread, is a photographer's delight. While the Peacock has its fame, there are also many other species which attract those who are interested in bird life and add to the mood and feel of nature. The Pain tod stork, many varieties of heron, the poonbill, the bee-eater, many colourful parrots and parakeets, the hombill, kingfisher and wood-pecker and hoopoe are all birds that can be seen by the observant in the jungles of Sri Lanka. There is accommodation in the national parks of 5h Lanka in special bungalows maintained by the Department of Wild Life Conservation. Dry rations are taken by the visitors and they are made for you by caretakers who are expert at turning quick, tasty meals. Travel inside the parks only by a vehicle. Four- wheel drive is recom ended. Entry to the parks is by special permit.

Situated 309 km. south of Colombo, Yala is approximately 1,259 sq.km. in extent and is located in the south eastern corner of the island. Its northern boundaries border on the Lahugala Elephant Sanctuary and it has the added bonus of a scenic ocean frontage. The terrain is varied flat plains, alternating with rocky outcrops. The vegetation ranges from open park I and to dense jungle. Water holes, small lakes, lagoons and streams provide water for the animals and birds. The specialty here is the large numbers ofeleph-ants.

Situated 176 km. north of Colombo, Wilpattu is approximately 1,908 sq. km. in extent. It has a dense jungle cover which makes it a more exciting park where animals have to be tracked. There are numerous delightful little lakes - known as villus - and the leopard -and sloth bear are the specialty rather than elephants.

Gal Oya National Park is situated at Inginiyagala, and is 314 km. from Colombo known as the most renowned for its elephant population.

Uda Walawe National Park, is situated 170 km. South East of Colombo. The Uda Walawe National Park is approximately 30,821 hectares in extent. This Park which lies within the Ratnapura and Monaragala Districts acts as the catchment to the Uda Walawe Reservoir and is located in the Dry Zone. This Park corn prises grasslands and thorn scrubs and many valuable species of trees are found within it. Large herds of Elephants and Deer species such asspotted Deer, Sambhur, Barking deerand Langur, Wild Boar, Water Buffalo, Jackal are some ofthe prominent wild animals found in this Park and a variety of avifauna is seen.

The Maduru Oya National Park is located in the Dry i one and is 300 km . away from Colombo and 58,849 hectares in extent. Awide variety of wildlife including some endemic birds species and reptiles are found here. Maduru Oya is rich in ancient ruins found in different pi-aces -and its southern parts provide veddhas, indigenous people their living environment. Endem ic purple monkey is among the important animal species that can be seen in addition to Sambhur, a member of the cat family etc. There are some endemic avifauna also found within this Park.

Situated approximately 200 km. away from Colombo, the Wasgamuwa National Park lies within the Polonnaruwa and Matale Districts and have the Mahaweli river and Amban river as its eastern and western boundaries. Tropical intermediate drymixed evergreen forest predominates its environment.

The Horton Plains National Park is the only National Park situated in the Hill Country and falls within the IMuwara Eliya district and is 200 km. away from Colombo. Panoramic scenic beauty of the Hill Country could be witnessed within the Park. The famous 'Worlds End' is a major attraction within the Park. Endemic slender loris and endemic purple monkey are among the important animal spedes that could be seen in addition to sambhur, a member of the cat family etc. There are some endemic avifauna also found within this Park.

Bundala National Park is the latest addition to the National Parks and is situated 260 km. away from Colombo. All species of water-birds resident in the country and the migran t birds inhabit this Park.

Bird Sanctuaries

The sanctuaries at Kumana 312 km. from Colombo, Wirawila 261 km. Bundala 259 km. and Kalametiya 224 km. are all lagoon locations in SH Lanka's extreme south eastern coast. The Giant's Tank in the north western comer of the island is a huge ancient irrigation reservoir of 3,800 hectares. The coastal sanctuaries are exotically picturesque with combinations of lagoon, swamp, river, jungle, lake and plain. Large flocks can be found here of both resident and migrant aquatic birds. The highland sanctuaries at Udawattakele 118 km. from Colombo and the Peak Wilderness 141 km. are quieter but equally picturesque with wooded hills and seduded streams and haue the added bonus of rare flora such as our unique Wesak Orchid as well as numerous species of rare butterflies. The Udawattakele Sanctuary is in the suburbs of Kandy, our picturesque and fasdnating hill capital. The Peak Wilderness is situated on the slopes of Adam's Peak (Sri Pada), Sri Lanka's sacred m ountain.

National Zoological Gardens

Situated 11 km. from the Fort, the Zoo has a fine collection of animals, birds, reptiles and fish from all over the world. The aquarium is the only one of its kind in Asia and displays over 500 varieties of aquatic life. Also walk in through Aviary, Reptilium, Butterfly Park. There are daily elephant performance at 5.15 p.m. Open daily between 3.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m .

Some tips and helpful notes for the tourist visiting the wild life parks and sanctuaries in Sri Lanka ...

You are not permitted to alight from your vehicle within the park, except at specially marked locations. Camping is permittad at special camping sites, with prior permission. Vou must always be accompanied by a tracker provided by the park authorities.
Please refrain from disturbing the peace of the wild with the use of radios, cassettes and CD players or loud music of your own.
And, as in any other place, but more so in the wild, do not leave any litter behind. Park Bungalows Visitors to National Parks could find accommodation in Park Bungalows maintained by the Wild Life Conservation. All bungalows have basic amenities; water on tap, refrigerators, toilet, cutiery, crockery and pressure lamps. Services of Bungalow Keeper and Assistant provided.

Hints to those who rent park bungalows - Take your dry rations and linen. Take plenty of fresh fruit - pineapple, papayas, banana, mango etc. Vegetables, some drinking water, coke, soda and other carbon ated drinks, liquor, sugar, eggs, bread, bacon, frozen or roast meat. Please note that once you are in the park you will have to travel several miles outside the park to reach the nearest town, and there too all your needs may not be found. Take a stock of fuel for your vehicle.

But just make sure nothing is found wanting at the other end. If you are touring on your own make sure to obtain all provisions from Colombo, or at least Galle or Matara (if traveling on the Southern route); Haputale orBandarawela (itcoming through the hills) and Ratnapura (if coming from the gem country). Those visiting Wilpattu should obtain supplies from Kurunegala, Puttalam or Anurdapura. Take plenty of Photographic films with you. All tourist who visit the National Park are required to pay a parfc fee and a vehicle fee. This applies to those who rent park: bungalows as well. Use of a four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended.

Your bungalow cook is used to the preparation of both Western and Eastern five star hotel. Casual Visitors could avail themselves of conducted tour leaving Yala Park Office and Wilpattu Park Office at 6 a.m R 3 p.m .for a 2-1/2 hour tour of either.