Sri Lanka's rich and varied fauna, as well as its equally rich and varied jungles, are two of the country's "purest pearls." The Department of Wild Life Conservation, which administers and serves as the chief authority on all matters relating wilderness areas and its fauna, has jurisdiction over one-tenth of the island's total land area. Most of the wildlife of the island is concentrated in National parks, the two primary ones being Ruhunu and Wilpattu. The former, more popularly known as Yala, is tucked away in the southeastern corner of the map. It is mainly thorny scrubs forest, reminiscent of the African bush, and provides the visitor’s best bet for seeing elephants. Some time ago, spotting a leopard or bear at Yala was only a remote possibility; but in recent years these animals have increased in the park and are now frequently sighted.
Between December and May is the greatest time to visit. Early in the year, there are irregular rain showers, but there are also enormous herds of elephants with calves. The magnificent mating dance of the lovely peacock is a sight worth traveling to see at this time.
Wilpattu National Park is primarily a thick secondary forest on the West Coast. The concentration of villus, basin-like natural tanks where enormous flocks of water birds and herds of wild animals come to quench their thirst, is one of the park's unique features of the landscape. Crocodiles live in these villus, as well.
Three other National parks are Gal Oya, Udaawalawe and Lahugala. Gal oya, inland from the East Coast near Amparai, mainly offers boating in the Senanayake Samudra tank where large herds of elephants come to drink and bathe during the evening hours. With some luck, one might even see the great beasts swimming across the deep water to islands where they feed on lush greens.
Udawalawe National park is situated around a reservoir of the same name in the southern central are of the island. However safaris held are very timid and wary of visitors – and is not easily seen.
It takes the visitor only a few miles of travel, or perhaps only a short walk in town or country, to be convinced that Sri Lanka is a paradise for the bird watcher. There are more than 400 species found here, indigenous varieties as well as migrants.
The vast majority of birds, as well as the most beautiful, prefer wooded areas. The majority of them are found throughout the country, from the plains to the foothills and up into the highlands. Between September and April, when tens of thousands of migrants arrive, is the greatest period to see birds on the island.
Sri Lanka's Department of Wildlife Conservation regulates and makes protected territories available for eco-tourism. Whether you're on a walking tour, a Jeep safari, or a whale-watching boat cruise, you must follow the tour guide's instructions to ensure your safety as well as the animals' and their habitat's protection. For many it’s a once-in-a-lifetime joy but it is a vital factor to save this nature's gift for generations to come.
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