Though Sri Lanka is very small in land area, the great diversity in habitats harbours are a rich and diverse fauna and flora, with many species endemic to the island. Sri Lanka has strived to provide sanctuary and protection to it's beautiful wildlife. Safari parks and sanctuaries, particularly in the southern and central zones, offer the easiest way to see animals in their natural habitat. Stay alert for a sighting of the endangered leopard; take your time as you watch the elephants feeding and washing in a tank or lagoon; or walk quietly near to the turtles until they stop to lay their eggs.
Yala National Park, Udawalawe National Park, Wasgamuwa National Park, Kaudulla National park are a few National Parks in Sri Lanka for you to visit. Trained staff employed in these
According to classic island biogeographic theory, small islands don't have large mammals. Well, unfortunately for theory, Sri Lanka is an exception, as the largest terrestrial mammal in Asia-the Asian elephant-is found on the island. What is more, Sri Lanka is beyond doubt the best place in Asia to see the Asian elephant. Visit Uda Walawe national Park, to the south of the central mountain massif, and you are guaranteed to see elephants.
In September and October, 'The Gathering', an annual concentration of elephants, takes place on the shores of Minneriya Lake in Minneriya National Park. Small family groups of elephants arrive and coalesce into small herds, which in turn congregate into larger herds of fifty to one hundred elephants. On occasion it is possible to see over three hundred elephants on the plains. 'The Gathering' is surely one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on the planet.
The Sambar, Mouse and Hog Deer are all found, and, along with wild boar, make up a good part of the leopards diet. Sloth Bears are the hardest to see of the large mammals, but Porcupine and Grey Mangu monkeys are much more common. Other species include the Bear and Purple leaf monkeys.
