Sri Lanka the tiny island nation situated in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean is one of the smallest countries found in Asia but it is one of the most biologically diverse countries found within the region.It is internationally recognized as a 'Biodiversity Hotspot" by conservation international. It also boasts of its very own rainforest, Sinharaja forest reserve, the seventh UNESCO world heritage site.
The wild life found on the island varies from elephants to leopards to egg-laying sea turtles to a large variety of birds, boasting large proportions of endemic species among them. Safari parks and sanctuaries, particularly in the southern and central zones of Sri Lanka, offer the easiest way to watch these animals in their natural habitats.
A national park safari offers a chance to see some of Sri Lankas 92 types of mammals with 16 of them being endemic to the island - elephant, leopard, sloth bear, sambhur, spotted deer, mouse-and-barking deer, porcupine, civet cat, giant squirrel and monkeys such as the purple-faced leaf monkey and the grey langur.
Yala national park is famous for its large concentration of leopard, evidently having the world's highest leopard concentration. Yala is a national park where leopard sightings are not rare as the leopard seems truly comfortable in its habitats ,not being shy in the vicinity of humans, visitors are able have close-up views of this beautiful animal while it rests on the roadside or lounges among the branches of the trees. Yala national park with an area of 1259 sq km is the largest national park found on the island.
Uda walawe national park is famous for elephant sightings, even so the largest elephant gatherings are seen at Minneriya national park where elephants congregate in large herds around the remaining water sources of the region during the dry season with numbers exceeding over 300.These gentle giants can be seen in their element-foraging, playing, swimming, looking for mates. It is a delight to see these animals and to watch their antics.
Sri Lanka birdlife is astonishing, providing a chance for ornithologists and bird watchers to flock here to see large variety of birds found throughout the island. There are about 482 species which are either residents or visitors to the island while 26 of them are endemic species. A visit to a national park or other wildlife sanctuaries would allow one to encounter the beautiful and dazzling peacock in courship dance or the white-bellied sea eagle by the water swooping over the water to catch fish. The beautiful Sri Lanka paradise fly-catcher can be seen flitting from tree to tree with the characteristic flick of their long chestnut tail feather. Even more elusive is the Spot bellied Forest Eagle owl,with its blood curdling shriek which gives its local name ulama or devil-bird.
On the coastal regions of Sri Lanka one may encounter sea turtles. Only around 8 species of sea turtles are remaining today,around the world. Out of these 8 species around 5 types of turtles visit the sandy beaches to nest in Sri Lanka's South Western and South Eastern beaches from Induruwa to Yala and Kandakuliya in the Puttalam distirict. These five types of sea turtle are- Green turtle, Olive Ridley, Logger-head, Hawks-bill and the giant Leather back turtle. Unfortunately the growing demand for their flesh,eggs and their shell have made these gentle animal apart of the endangered species list. Thanks to turtle farms and hatcheries situated along the coastal belts these animals are being conserved and protected before they are safely released into the sea.
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