Wild Life of Sri Lanka.

Though Sri Lanka is very small in land area, the great diversity in habitats harbors are a rich and diverse fauna and flora, with many species endemic to the island. The present day, governments of Sri Lanka have attempted to provide sanctuaries and protections to our beautiful wildlife. Sri Lanka is the best place in Asia to see wild Elephants and Leopards. The presence of the largest earthly animal and a top level carnivore such as the Leopard is highly unusual for a relatively small country. It has other "Big Game' safari animals such as Sloth Bear, Jackal, Water Buffalo etc.

Elephant is the largest land animal in the island. Fleets of elephants have been largely reduced when compared to past decades and decades. Majority of the wild elephants are attracted at the Wasgamuwa National Park. Minneriya, Kawudulla, Udawalawa and Lahugala national parks are mainly reserved for them. Elephant orphanage at Pinnawala is successfully maintained to promote their population and to prevent degeneration. Especially the tourist does not fail to visit these parks.

The leopard has been admired for its beauty and strength. In Sri Lanka it is generally known as kotiya. They dwell particularly in Wilpattu, Yala & Kumana sanctuaries because animals like spotted deer, buffalo calves and Sāmbhar are in abundance and aims at them as their prey. The Wilpattu National Park is known to be a good place to watch them.

Sri Lanka is a bird’s paradise with 495 bird species. Most of the endemic birds (33 Species) are found in the wet zone. There are migrants birds come from western countries. There many number of bird sanctuaries across the island. Kumana sanctuary in the east, Bundala, Kalamatiya in the south cost and Wasgamuwa National Park in the Central Province Sri Lanka. Other important bird watching locations are Sinharaja Rain forests, Muturajawela, and Minipe. Very beautiful birds could be seen throughout the country near lakesides paddy fields and anywhere while traveling. People have a keen interest on bird watching as they are so pleasant.

Sri Lanka has a variety of flowers regional wise. Beautiful orchids are well grown is wet zones, especially in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya and Rathnapura districts. Country’s botanical garden is at Peradeniya. It covers wide range of flora much attracted even by tourists. Flowers like Roses are well grown in many parts of the country.