Yala National Park is the second most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. It actually consists of five blocks, two of which are now open to the public and adjacent parks. (Most popular) Block 1 also has individual names such as Ruhuna National Park and Kumana National Park or Yala East for the adjoining area. It is located in the southeastern part of the country and in the southern and va provinces.
Area and Location
The covers 979 square kilometers (378 square miles). It is located at a distance of 300 km (190 miles) from Colombo. Named the Yala Wildlife Sanctuary in 1900, it was one of the first two national parks in Sri Lanka to be named in 1938 along with Wilpattu. This park is especially popular for its diverse wildlife. It is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan elephants and waterfowl. There are six national parks and three wildlife sanctuaries around Yala. The park is located in a dry semi-arid climate and receives rainfall mainly during the northeast monsoon.
Yala provides a variety of ecosystems ranging from moist monsoon forests to freshwater and marine wetlands. It is one of the 70 Important Bird Areas in Sri Lanka. Yala has 215 species of birds, including six endemic to Sri Lanka. The number of mammals recorded at the park is 44, making it one of the world’s largest leopard ities.
Special Yala National Park Pictures
Gamunu Tusker
Aged around 40 – 45 years old he got his name from Minister Sajith Premadasa in 1991/92. Visitors to the park used to give him fruits whenever they encountered him then now he is used to get fruits from the jeeps forcefully. Mostly seen at Sithulpawwa Road, he regularly visits Sithulpawwa temple and the monks there give him fruits as well.
2018 Gemunu lost his front teeth during a elephants fight.
Crocodile Fight
This crocodile fight picture taken at 2014 in Yala national park. Here two crocodiles fight for a dead deer’s body part .