26/02/2026
The Bear found in Sri Lanka (Melursus ursinus inornatus) is a subspecies of the Sloth Bear and is endemic to the country. The Sri Lankan Sloth Bear is stocky in build covered with long black shaggy fur and long hair around its neck; the adult male weighs about 140kg and is typically about 3 ft high at the shoulders and about six ft long, while the female weighing about 95kg is slightly smaller in size and stature. Each paw of the bear has soft pads with long non-retractable curved claws that can grow as long as 4 inches. It also has a long blackish white muzzle, protruding lips, long tongue, bony palate and no front teeth, all of which aids in feeding on termites and ants. Being omnivorous, it feeds on nuts, berries, and roots, as well as carrion and meat. One of its main staples is insects, which it removes from rotting stumps and trees with its long, hairless snout. Otherwise, it rarely kills animals. In its native habitat of Sri Lanka, this bear is called the walaha in Sinhalese and karadi in Tamil. Both terms simply translate to "bear" in English.
The Sri Lankan Sloth Bear is an omnivorous species that relies heavily on the forest for its survival. The steady decline of forests on the island has severely impacted this animal, leading to its classification as a threatened species. It is estimated that as few as 1,000 Sri Lankan Sloth Bears remain today. Wilpattu National Park may offer you a unique opportunity to see this rare animal while on safari in Wilpattu National Park. Sloth Bears are best seen during the fruiting season of the Palu Tree which is from June to July. Observing endangered animals in the wild is a privilege that Wilpattu National National Park has to offer and it is definitely one that you will cherish for a lifetime.
The annual temperature in the park is around 27°C and its annual rainfall is approximately 1,000 mm. Though situated in the dry zone, the climate inside the Wilpattu National Park is very unlike that of the dry zone. The period from September to December is known as the rainy season in Wilpattu National Park with the north east monsoon falling heavily. Inter-monsoonal rains come to Wilpattu between March and April. The period of drought in the park extends from May to early September. Thus, the best time for wildlife safaris at the Wilpattu National Park is during the months of February and October.
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