Yala National Park | Sri Lanka | Travel | Destinations

Wildlife in Sri Lanka

Yala National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. The park consists of five blocks. The park is best known for its variety of wild animals. It is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan Elephants, Sri Lankan leopards and aquatic birds.

Including the Sri Lankan Elephant, there are 44 species of mammals who are resident in Yala National Park, and it has one of the highest leopard densities in the world. 25 individual leopards are estimated to roam in a block. The elephant herd of Yala contains 300–350 individuals. Sri Lankan Sloth Bear, Sri Lankan Leopard, Sri Lankan Elephant, Wild Water Buffalo are threatened species that Yala is harbouring. Although water buffaloes are indigenous to Sri Lanka, most populations contain genes of the domestic stock or are descended from feral stock. Toque Macaque, Golden Palm Civet, Red Slender Loris, and Fishing Cat are among the other mammals that can be seen in Yala. The elephant population of the park varies seasonally.