24/10/2023
Yala National Park: A Wildlife Wonderland
Yala National Park is one of the most popular and visited national parks in Sri Lanka. It is located in the southeast of the island, covering an area of 979 square kilometers. It has a variety of ecosystems, including moist monsoon forests, dry thorn forests, grasslands, wetlands, and coastal habitats. It is also home to a rich diversity of wildlife, with over 200 species of birds, 44 species of mammals, 46 species of reptiles, and 21 species of amphibians. Yala National Park is a paradise for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, who can enjoy the beauty and wonder of the natural world.
Sri Lankan Leopards
One of the most iconic and charismatic animals in Yala National Park is the Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya). This is a subspecies of leopard that is endemic to Sri Lanka, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world. It is also the largest and most powerful cat in Sri Lanka, with an average body length of 1.5 meters and a weight of 60 kilograms. The Sri Lankan leopard has a stunning spotted coat that helps it blend in with its surroundings. It also has a long tail that helps it balance when climbing trees.
The Sri Lankan leopard is a solitary and elusive animal, preferring to hunt at night or dawn. It feeds on a variety of prey, including deer, wild boar, monkeys, and rodents. It can also kill larger animals, such as buffalo and crocodiles. The Sri Lankan leopard is very adaptable and can live in different habitats, from forests to grasslands to rocky areas.
The Sri Lankan leopard is also very rare and endangered, as it faces many threats from humans. These include habitat loss, poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and disease. There are only about 700 to 950 Sri Lankan leopards left in the wild. Yala National Park has one of the highest leopard densities in the world, with an estimated 25 to 30 leopards per 100 square kilometers. This makes it one of the best places to see these magnificent cats in their natural habitat.
Sri Lankan Elephants
Another impressive and majestic animal in Yala National Park is the Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maximus maximus). This is a subspecies of Asian elephant that is also endemic to Sri Lanka. It is the largest land animal in Asia, with an average height of 3 meters and a weight of 3 tons. The Sri Lankan elephant has a distinctive dark skin and long tusks that can grow up to 1.5 meters long. It also has large ears that help it cool down in the hot climate.
The Sri Lankan elephant is a very social and intelligent animal, forming strong bonds with its family members. It lives in herds of up to 20 individuals, led by a dominant female called the matriarch. The herd communicates with each other using sounds, gestures, and touch. The Sri Lankan elephant is also very curious and playful, showing signs of empathy, self-awareness, and memory.
The Sri Lankan elephant is an herbivorous animal, feeding on grasses, fruits, leaves, bark, and roots. It can eat up to 150 kilograms of food and drink up to 200 liters of water per day. It can also travel long distances in search of food and water sources. The Sri Lankan elephant plays an important role in the environment, as it disperses seeds, creates waterholes, and modifies the landscape.
The Sri Lankan elephant is also threatened by human activities, such as habitat fragmentation, poaching for ivory and meat, human-elephant conflict over crops and resources, and railway accidents. There are only about 2,500 to 4,000 Sri Lankan elephants left in the wild. Yala National Park provides a safe haven for these gentle giants, where they can roam freely and peacefully.
Sri Lankan Sloth Bears
One of the most unique and interesting animals in Yala National Park is the Sri Lankan sloth bear (Melursus ursinus inornatus). This is a subspecies of sloth bear that is endemic to Sri Lanka. It is a medium-sized bear with a shaggy black coat and a white chest patch. It has a long snout that helps it suck up insects from their nests. It also has long claws that help it dig up roots and tubers.
The Sri Lankan sloth bear is an omnivorous animal, eating insects, honey, fruits, and flowers. It has a special fondness for palu (Manilkara hexandra) fruits, which are abundant in Yala during June and July. The Sri Lankan sloth bear is also a good climber and can hang upside down from trees.
The Sri Lankan sloth bear is a shy and nocturnal animal, avoiding human contact and activity. It is usually solitary, except during the mating season and when raising cubs. The Sri Lankan sloth bear can be aggressive when threatened or provoked, and can inflict serious injuries with its teeth and claws.
The Sri Lankan sloth bear is also endangered, as it suffers from habitat loss, poaching for body parts, human-bear conflict over crops and honey, and competition with leopards and wild dogs. There are only about 500 to 1,000 Sri Lankan sloth bears left in the wild. Yala National Park offers a refuge for these rare and remarkable bears, where they can find food and shelter.
Toque Macaque Monkeys
One of the most common and conspicuous animals in Yala National Park is the toque macaque monkey (Macaca sinica). This is a species of monkey that is endemic to Sri Lanka. It is a small and brown monkey with a tuft of hair on its head that resembles a cap or a toque. It has an average body length of 50 centimeters and a weight of 5 kilograms. The toque macaque monkey has a long tail that helps it balance when jumping from tree to tree.
The toque macaque monkey is a very agile and acrobatic animal, moving swiftly and gracefully through the forest canopy. It is also very curious and playful, often interacting with humans and other animals. It lives in large groups of up to 40 individuals, with a complex social structure based on rank, kinship, and alliances. The toque macaque monkey communicates with each other using vocalizations, facial expressions, and body postures.
The toque macaque monkey is an omnivorous animal, eating fruits, seeds, leaves, flowers, insects, eggs, and small vertebrates. It can also raid crops and garbage bins for food. The toque macaque monkey is an adaptable animal, living in different habitats from lowland forests to highland mountains.
The toque macaque monkey is not threatened by extinction, but it faces some challenges from human activities, such as habitat degradation, hunting for meat and fur, capture for pet trade, and road accidents. There are about 100,000 to 200,000 toque macaque monkeys in the wild. Yala National Park provides a suitable habitat for these lively and lovable monkeys, where they can thrive and flourish.
Fishing Cats
One of the most elusive and mysterious animals in Yala National Park is the fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus). This is not a bat, but a cat that can be seen along with bats. It is a medium-sized cat with a grey fur and dark stripes. It has webbed feet and a long tail that help it swim and dive in water. It is an aquatic animal, living near water sources such as rivers, lakes, and marshes. It is an excellent swimmer and diver, and can catch fish, frogs, crabs, and other aquatic animals. It can also hunt on land, preying on rodents, birds, and small mammals.
The fishing cat is a nocturnal and solitary animal, preferring to hunt at night or dawn. It marks its territory with urine, scrapes, and vocalizations. It is usually silent, but can make sounds such as chattering, growling, and hissing. It is also vulnerable to extinction, as it faces many threats from humans. These include habitat loss, pollution, overfishing, poaching for fur and meat, and human-cat conflict over poultry and fish stocks. There are only about 10,000 to 20,000 fishing cats left in the wild. Yala National Park offers a sanctuary for these amazing cats, where they can find food and protection.
!Fishing cat
Conclusion
Yala National Park is a wildlife wonderland, where you can see many amazing animals in their natural habitats. These animals are not only beautiful and fascinating, but also important for the environment and the ecosystem. They deserve our respect and admiration, as well as our support and conservation. By visiting Yala National Park, you can not only enjoy the beauty and wonder of nature, but also contribute to the protection and preservation of wildlife.
If you are interested in visiting Yala National Park and seeing these animals for yourself, you can book safari tours through La Guest Rohana in Tissa City
